Denver Nuggets (24-16) vs. Miami Heat (20-19)
January 17, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Miami Heat -1.5; Over/Under: 226
(Get latest betting odds)
The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat meet Friday in NBA action at the Kaseya Center. Here’s a Heat vs Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Heat vs Nuggets Pick.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets beat the Mavs, lost to the Rockets, and they play the Magic, 76ers, and Kings next. The Denver Nuggets are averaging 120 points on 50 percent shooting and allowing 116 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.6 points and 13.2 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 19.8 points and 3.9 rebounds. Michael Porter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Aaron Gordon is grabbing 5.6 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc and 75.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 35.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.4 rebounds per game.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat lost to the Clippers and Lakers, and they play the Spurs, Trail Blazers, and Bucks next. The Miami Heat are averaging 110.7 points on 45.5 percent shooting and allowing 109.5 points on 46 percent shooting. Tyler Herro is averaging 24.3 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler is averaging 17.6 points and 5.5 rebounds. Bam Adebayo is the third double-digit scorer and Terry Rozier is grabbing 4 rebounds. The Miami Heat are shooting 36.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. The Miami Heat are allowing 35.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The favorites have won each of the last six games between the Nuggets and Heat.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Nuggets’ last four games.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 10 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Heat have lost each of their last nine home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have won each of their last five games as underdogs against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last seven games at Kaseya Center.
Miami Heat Player Facts
- Tyler Herro ranks 4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.0) this season.
- Bam Adebayo ranks 5th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.5) this season.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Russell Westbrook is the only player to have recorded a triple-double off the bench this season.
- Christian Braun ranks 2nd in the league for fast break points (189) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Heat rank 29th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.8).
- The Heat rank 2nd in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (14.2).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.9).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (29.3).
Heat vs Nuggets Injury Report
The Nuggets will be without DaRon Holmes II and Vlatko Cancar. Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic are questionable, and Jamal Murray is probable despite a knee issue.
The Miami Heat will be without Josh Richardson and Dru Smith. Jimmy Butler is expected to return from suspension.
Heat vs Nuggets Prediction
I’m not thrilled to lay points with the Heat most nights, as you just don’t know which team is showing up night to night. I also don’t think Jimmy Butler returning does much, as the Heat were losing with him, and he hasn’t played well. Butler wants out, so I’m not sure how engaged he’s going to be, especially after he just lost nearly four million dollars after suspension. With all of that said, the Nuggets could be down Jokic, and that’s a killer. The Rockets did the Nuggets dirty without Jokic. The Heat should win this game at home. Should. So, I’ll lay the bucket. However, there’s probably better options out there on a stacked Friday NBA card.
