With the Denver Nuggets sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, and the Miami Heat-Boston Celtics series at a Game 6, we’ll know very soon which teams will compete in the 2023 NBA Finals. Here’s everything you need to know about the championship round, including the full 2023 NBA Finals schedule, how to watch, and title odds.
In the East, Jimmy Butler and the Heat hold a 3-2 lead over the Celtics and and are one game away from a return to the Finals from three years ago. Out West, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets clinched their first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history with a win over the Lakers in Game 4 of the West Finals.
Bet on hoops: Odds to win 2023 NBA Finals | NBA Playoff game betting lines
When do 2023 NBA Finals Start?
Game 1 of the championship matchup is slated for Thursday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with each succeeding contest taking place either two or three days after the previous one. The Finals could end as early as Game 4 on June 9 or as late as Game 7 (hopefully) on June 18.
Here are dates, times, and TV schedules for all possible games in the Finals:
- Game 1: Thursday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 2: Sunday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET on (ABC)
- Game 3: Wednesday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 4: Friday, June 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 5: Monday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)*
- Game 6: Thursday, June 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)*
- Game 7: Sunday, June 18 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)*
*If necessary
Who Will Have Home-Court Advantage in NBA Finals?
Home-court advantage gets awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. That’s different from the first three rounds of the playoffs, where the higher seed gets the advantage.
This year, the Celtics (57-25) have the best record of the three remaining teams, so they’d enjoy home-court advantage over the Nuggets. Of course, coming back from a 3-0 series deficit to beat Miami is unlikely, and the Nuggets (53-29) would have home-court advantage against the Heat (44-38) in the Finals.
NBA Finals Betting History
Recent history shows that the NBA Finals feature both lopsided and closely contested matchups. Take a look at the pre-NBA Finals series odds (per BetMGM Sportsbook) from the last 15 seasons:
| Season | Western Champion | Odds Entering Finals | Eastern Champion | Odds Entering Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Golden State Warriors | -145 | Boston Celtics | +125 |
| 2020-21 | Phoenix Suns | -180 | Milwaukee Bucks | +160 |
| 2019-20 | Los Angeles Lakers | -350 | Miami Heat | +290 |
| 2018-19 | Golden State Warriors | -270 | Toronto Raptors | +230 |
| 2017-18 | Golden State Warriors | -1075 | Cleveland Cavaliers | +688 |
| 2016-17 | Golden State Warriors | -300 | Cleveland Cavaliers | +250 |
| 2015-16 | Golden State Warriors | -220 | Cleveland Cavaliers | +180 |
| 2014-15 | Golden State Warriors | -220 | Cleveland Cavaliers | +190 |
| 2013-14 | San Antonio Spurs | -155 | Miami Heat | +135 |
| 2012-13 | San Antonio Spurs | +180 | Miami Heat | -220 |
| 2011-12 | Oklahoma City Thunder | -175 | Miami Heat | +155 |
| 2010-11 | Dallas Mavericks | +155 | Miami Heat | -175 |
| 2009-10 | Los Angeles Lakers | -190 | Boston Celtics | +160 |
| 2008-09 | Los Angeles Lakers | -280 | Orlando Magic | +240 |
| 2007-08 | Los Angeles Lakers | -180 | Boston Celtics | +160 |
NBA Finals Odds
Denver is the odds-on favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Here are the latest NBA Finals odds, courtesy of the best US sports betting apps (as of May 27):
NBA Finals Schedule — Frequently Asked Questions
No matter when the conference championships end, Game 1 of the NBA Finals is schedule for Thursday, June 1. If the series goes the distance, Game 7 would be played in Sunday, June 18.
Yes, the NBA already released the dates and times for the NBA Finals series in June.
The 2023 NBA Finals will primarily be televised on ABC, but you can also watch the games on ESPN+, and you can listen to them on ESPN Radio.
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