Two teams that have already qualified for the 2019-20 NBA playoffs will meet on Saturday as the Miami Heat (41-24) take on the Denver Nuggets (43-22). Currently, Miami is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and it is not likely that they would go higher than third, as they are 5 ½ game behind second-place Toronto at the start of the eight-game continuation of the regular season, but they are only two games ahead of Indiana and Philadelphia, tied for fifth. Denver is 7 ½ games behind the Lakers but just a game behind the Clippers, who lost to the Lakers last night in their “bubble” opener. Can Denver put the heat on the Clippers? Or will the Heat make their own statement with a win over a West contender? Don’t miss our sports betting preview, along with their NBA odds so you can bet against them.
NBA Miami Heat vs Denver Nuggets Odds & Analysis
Why should you bet on Miami?
The Heat have emerged as a surprise contender in the East this season. Center Bam Adebayo will be a contender for the Most Improved Player award this season. Jimmy Butler has been a real leader for the younger players of the team, and the likes of Kendrick Nunn, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro have responded well.
Butler signing with Miami was one of the surprises of the last free agent cycle. His play and contributions in Philadelphia were mixed at best, but he has been an essential part of Miami turning into a contender this season. He puts up 20 points, six assists and six boards per game. Denver does not do well in the perimeter defense, and Butler should take advantage of the openings and find his own shots as well as dish the ball around to the other shooters when they find gaps in the defense. The projected starters include Adebayo, Butler, Nunn, Robinson and Meyers Leonard.
Why should you put your money on the Nuggets?
The Nuggets’ main star, of course, is center Nikola Jokic, but he won’t have to carry Denver by himself. Point guard Jamal Murray continues to excel and has not let up at all since signing that contract extension in the summer of 2019. Michael Porter Jr has helped out with his shooting, defense and rebounding.
Jokic has averaged 20 points, 10 boards and seven assists per game this year, earning his second All-Star Game appearance. His counterpart against the Heat will be Texas product Bam Adebayo. Miami has a stout defense, but one reason why Jokic is so difficult to stop is that he can play the inside-out game, getting passes down low and then distributing to open shooters, but also scoring from the high post. His rim defense is also underrated. Along with Jokic and Murray, the other projected starters are Paul Millsap, Jerami Grant and Gary Harris.
Final Score and Prediction
When it comes to depth, Miami has some problems in comparison to Denver. The Heat’s big scoring threats are Butler and Robinson (particularly from the outside). Denver has Jokic for scoring and distribution, along with Murray. The key to this game will come from beyond the three-point line. If Miami goes cold, Denver will pull away, and the team that lives by the three-pointer will eventually die by it. I predict a 108-101 win for the Nuggets.
