The Miami Heat are fresh off of a huge win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, another of the top teams in the Eastern Conference and league, but what awaits them Monday has had many fans of the league and the Miami Heat buzzing for weeks now.
Exactly three weeks ago to the day, the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets met for what would eventually turn into a powder keg of a contest.
The game was one thing in itself, while the actual results would be rendered moot by the happenings that preceded the end of the game.
It was the game between Miami and Denver that saw the now-infamous Markieff Morris and Nikola Jokic dustup. Again, three weeks later, the two teams are set for another matchup, and this time in Miami.
Let’s get into a few of the wagering details of the contest. First thing first though, the injuries.
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets: Odds, Analysis, & Predictions
Above all else and to all of those that defended the cheap shot by Jokic in the previous game, here’s a question. How is one guy still out as a result of the shot he took in that game—if his shot is supposedly the worst of the two?
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets Injury Report
It just doesn’t make sense. With that though, Markieff Morris is still out with the same injury he sustained three weeks ago in Denver.
Tyler Herro was scratched from Saturday night’s win with a non-covid related illness, finding himself listed as “questionable” for this one at the moment.
Injuring his tailbone on an Alex Caruso shot-block attempt on Saturday, Jimmy Butler is still dealing with that. He is also listed as “questionable”.
The Nuggets will be without PJ Dozier, Michael Porter Jr., and of course, Jamal Murray. Murray is still recovering from an ACL tear while Dozier is fresh onto the injury report because of one.
MPJ is dealing with back issues again, being out for an indefinite amount of time for the time being. Rookie point guard, Bones Hyland, is questionable for Monday’s contest and the same goes for star center, Nikola Jokic.
Having not played in a game since the 18th of November due to a wrist injury, you’d like to see Jokic go. Well, that’s self-explanatory but as of now, he is listed as “questionable”.
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets: What’s The Safest Play To Make In This One?
Here’s the reason you all came. Here are the actual gambling facts, figures, and picks.
Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets Odds, Analysis, & Predictions
Moneyline: MIA -300 DEN +250
Spread: MIA -7.5
Total: 203
Analysis
When you look at these odds, nothing is sexy about it. If you wanted to try and read the wiseguys in Vegas, then they are telling you that they think Jokic doesn’t play.
They are either saying that—or that it doesn’t matter whether he plays or not, the Miami Heat win this one. That should be the case and especially with the circumstances surrounding the last game between the two.
With that, the Moneyline isn’t a bad play, but then again, the value isn’t there with that one. If you don’t mind laying three bucks to make one, then it’s not a bad play at all.
The Spread is always a risky one and especially when dealing with this Miami Heat team. If the Nuggets are without Jokic, the 7.5 points are extremely likely.
However, if they are with him, it’s likely to be a close game. There is always this though.
The Miami Heat play up or down to the competition, so anytime you are tasked with covering a spread that is four points or higher, you might want to stay away from that with the Heat.
You have faith that they win a ton of games, but by how much is a totally different story. The Total is actually a pretty good play.
With or without Jokic, the Nuggets can score. It’s just what they have been programmed to do.
Though ranked near the bottom of the league, they still score nearly 103 points per game. Even without Jokic in their last four contests, they are averaging a half-point higher than their season average, at 103.5.
When you look at those two figures and in combination with the Heat’s 12th ranked 108.7 points per game this season, you imagine that they can hit the 203 between them. So, if you must make a play, take the Total.
This one should be a good game to watch, but you certainly hope Jokic goes. There should be a little something extra in this one too, a highly anticipated rematch from the game three weeks ago.
These have been the odds and information of note. As always, choose smartly and wager wisely!