Miami Heat Offers Value in NBA Finals for NJ, PA Bettors

By Lou Monaco

Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EST

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The surreal NBA season enters its final chapter tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers meet the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

For NBA Finals bettors in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, it is another opportunity to either take advantage of a heavy favorite or take a shot with a considerable underdog.

CHECK OUT: Free Daily Expert NBA Picks Throughout The Playoffs

BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com, both with online sports betting platforms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, have set series odds with the Lakers (-375) a heavy favorite with the Heat at +280.

Current percentages from both sites see the Lakers leading on all accounts for tonight’s opener: 56% of total game bets and 70% of total game handle are on the Lakers, along with 61% of moneyline bets and 75% of Moneyline handle (-195 live).

They also have Finals MVP odds listed. LeBron James (-155) is the heavy favorite followed by teammate Anthony Davis (+250), with Heat teammates Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler both listed at +900.

DraftKings Scoring Prop

“There’s definitely interest out on the East Coast, with the majority of the money on the Lakers and Over,” said Johnny Avello, director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings . “One of DraftKings’ boosts attracting a significant amount of customer attention is which team will score first (Heat & Lakers are both +150). How’s that for value?”

Is there a LeBron factor and thus far how does this series rank with others in the past, handle interest wise?

RELATED: Check out our NBA Finals Game 1 NBACast Betting Preview

“Of course there is a LeBron factor: LeBron dunks at over 1½ (+175) is getting substantial action, and LeBron to win the MVP is -155 after opening at -110. Handle-wise, this should be the biggest Finals wagering to date,” Avello said.

FanDuel Action

FanDuel is offering more than 400 NBA betting markets for tonight’s opener, with 68% of bets and 82% of money on the Over (217.5).

The Heat’s Tyler Herro is FanDuel’s biggest liability in the NBA Finals MVP market at 30-1. However, most of the money has come in on the Lakers’ Davis (+290), he has accounted for almost 40% of the action.

The Lakers are the series favorite on FanDuel at -360 with the Heat at +275.

Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 9 p.m.

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About the Author

Lou Monaco

More About Lou

Lou Monaco had been East Coast Scene columnist for Gaming Today in Las Vegas since June 2019, covering the East Coast sportsbook scene with emphasis on NJ and PA.

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