Warriors’ Draymond Green Makes 2023 NBA Finals Prediction

• Draymond Green has made his prediction for the 2023 NBA Finals
• The Golden State Warriors veteran said the Nuggets have the best player and are not messing around
• The Nuggets took a 1-0 series lead after winning Game 1 104-93

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has made his prediction for the 2023 NBA Finals. Green and the Warriors were eliminated from this season's playoffs in the second round after winning the championship last season.

The Denver Nuggets are the overwhelming favorites against the Miami Heat, who have been underdogs for the whole playoffs.

The Nuggets took Game 1 104-93 behind Nikola Jokic's 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds triple-double, his seventh triple-double in his last nine playoff games. His teammate, Jamal Murray, had 26 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds, per ESPN.

The Heat struggled all game. Jimmy Butler, the playoffs' biggest story, scored just 13 points. Heat's unsung heroes, Max and Caleb Martin, combined for only 3 points on 1-for-17 shooting from the field. The Heat also attempted only two free throws compared to the Nuggets' 20.

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Green predicts finals

On a recent episode of "The Draymond Green Show," the Warriors' veteran broke down the matchup between the two sides before picking the team he thinks will win the NBA Finals.

"I think Denver has the best player in the series," Green said. "With all due respect to Jimmy [Butler], Jimmy's incredible, been playing incredible. We all can agree that Nikola Jokic is on some all-time great type stuff right now. Constantly getting better. Makes everyone else better. Playing absolutely incredible. So they've got the best player in the series," via NBC Sports.

He is backing Denver to win their first title in five games.

"They're ready to win a championship. They're not messing around with these other teams. They're ready to win a championship. And so I teetered with this whole thing. Denver in five? Denver in six? But they're ready to win a championship I got the Nuggets in five."

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If Green is right, Jokic and Denver will lift their first-ever Larry O'Brien Trophy on June 12.

However, the Heat have silenced many doubters this season in the playoffs. Many would be wary of the threat they pose to the favorites.

Herro's possible Game 2 return

Sports Brief earlier reported that Miami's guard Tyler Herro could return in Game 2.

The Heat guard continues to test his surgically repaired right hand, setting Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday as a target for his return.

He picked up the hand injury while diving for a loose ball during Game 1 of their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 16.