The Denver Nuggets now know who they will face in the franchise’s first ever NBA Finals, thanks to Miami shellacking Boston in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday.
Now, the Michael Malone-coached club will tip off its first finals at Ball Arena on Thursday, with another home game Sunday.
Oddsmakers at DraftKings Colorado have the Nuggets listed as an 8.5-point favorite in Game 1 with a -360 moneyline.
With the Nuggets coming off the franchise’s first playoff sweep against the L.A. Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, BetColorado.com wanted to see how teams that have swept opponents since 2019 have fared in their next playoff series.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
NBA Playoff Sweeps Since 2019
| Year | Team | Round of Sweep | Next Round Game 1 | Next Series Result |
| 2023 | Denver | Conf. Finals | TBA | TBA |
| 2023 | Philadelphia | First Round | Phil. 119, Boston 115 | Celtics in 7 |
| 2022 | Boston | First Round | Milwaukee 101, Boston 89 | Celtics in 7 |
| 2021 | Milwaukee | First Round | Brooklyn 115, Milwaukee 107 | Bucks in 7 |
| 2021 | Phoenix | Conf. Semifinals | Phoenix 120, L.A. Clippers 114 | Suns in 6 |
| 2020 | Miami | First Round | Miami 115, Milwaukee 104 | Heat in 5 |
| 2020 | Boston | First Round | Boston 112, Toronto 94 | Celtics in 7 |
| 2020 | Toronto | First Round | Boston 112, Toronto 94 | Celtics in 7 |
| 2019 | Milwaukee | First Round | Boston 112, Milwaukee 90 | Bucks in 5 |
| 2019 | Boston | First Round | Boston 112, Milwaukee 90 | Bucks in 5 |
| 2019 | Golden State | Conf. Finals | Toronto 118, Golden State 109 | Raptors in 6 |
Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)
Teams Have Mixed Success After Sweeps
Colorado sports betting sites list Denver as a -400 series favorite (to Miami’s +300). Although the odds are one-sided, it’s not easy keeping the momentum of a playoff sweep.
Of the 10 NBA teams that have pulled off a playoff sweep since 2019, six went on to win the following postseason series.
The four that fell after pulling off a playoff sweep were the 2019 Golden State Warriors (losing to Cleveland in the NBA Finals), the 2019 Celtics (who lost to Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference semifinals), the 2020 Toronto Raptors (who lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals) and the 2023 Philadelphia 76ers (who lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals).
The 2021 Bucks team that beat Phoenix in the NBA Finals needed seven games to win its second round series against Brooklyn after an opening-round sweep. Brooklyn opened that series with a Game 1 win — perhaps a hint for those looking to bet on this year’s Finals using Colorado sportsbook promos.
Teams who notched a sweep in an NBA playoff series in the last five years are 5-5 in Game 1 of their next series.
The Nuggets hope to have an easier time than that hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy after their Western Conference Finals sweep of the L.A. Lakers.
![quote]( "quote")
