Heat vs. Nuggets Betting Preview: NBA Finals Odds, Prediction & Pick
Heat vs. Nuggets – Game 5 Odds
| Heat Odds | +8.5 |
| Nuggets Odds | -8.5 |
| Over/Under | 210 |
| Date | Mon, Jun. 12 |
| Time | 8:30 p.m. |
| TV | ABC |
Tonight, the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets will play Game 5 of the NBA Finals, with Denver seeking to win their first championship in team history. Miami will be looking to push the action back to South Beach for Game 6, but the market has them priced as 8.5-point underdogs ahead of tip-off. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
Below, we break down the matchup for both teams and offer a free pick for the betting community!
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Miami Heat Preview
Miami priced as big underdogs on the road in Game 5
Following back-to-back losses by double-digits on their home floor in Game 3 and Game 4, the market has little faith in the Heat performing better traveling into the altitude in Denver. During the regular season, Miami was 17-24 on the road – an outlook that looks even more bleak when factoring in Denver’s 34-7 record at home during the regular season.
Dry from downtown
Outside of an impressive shooting display in Game 2 of this series, the Heat have had very little production from beyond the arc. In the series opener, Miami went 13-for-39 (33.3%) from deep. In two games at home, the Heat shot 19-for-60 (31.7%) from the perimeter. Facing a sharp-shooting Denver offense, Miami is simply not making enough shots from deep to keep themselves competitive in this matchup – expect more of the same on the road this evening.
Denver Nuggets Preview
Defensive juggernaut
In recent seasons, the Denver Nuggets have developed a reputation for being “soft” and for not taking seriously their responsibilities on the defensive end of the floor. That narrative has begun to change during these playoffs, and the NBA Finals have only further helped aid the shift in perception. In four games to begin this series, Denver has held Miami to 95 points or fewer three times. Perhaps most impressive has been Denver’s ability to defend without fouling. Assuming Denver continues to play strong fundamental defense in Game 5, they should have little trouble coming away with another victory, finishing off a historic campaign.
Jokic one game away from MVP honors
After being robbed of winning this year’s regular season Most Valuable Player award, Nikola Jokic is potentially only 48 minutes from still earning MVP honors this year. During the NBA Finals, Jokic is averaging 30.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 8.0 assists on 55.0% shooting from the floor. Entering play on Monday, Jokic is the presumptive winner of this award, with a miracle being needed from Jamal Murray to even reopen a conversation that is already closed.
NBA Finals Prediction: Under 210 Points
We have targeted the under on the full game total between these two teams in each of the last two contests, with both tickets cashing without a sweat. Tonight, we are running back the same look for Game 5. The Miami Heat remain woefully incapable of shooting the basketball from the perimeter, leaving them without high-end scoring potential in this matchup. Both teams have shown a willingness to slow down the pace and operate in the half-court as well. Take advantage of the fact that the market still has not properly adjusted here.
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