Nuggets vs. Heat Odds: NBA Finals Prediction & Pick for Game 3
Nuggets vs. Heat Odds
| Nuggets Odds | -2.5 |
| Cavaliers Odds | +2.5 |
| Over/Under | 214.5 |
| Date | Wed, Jun. 8 |
| Time | 8:30 p.m. |
| TV | ABC |
On Wednesday evening, the NBA Finals will head to South Beach for Game 3 between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
Despite losing Game 2 on their home floor, the market still has faith in Denver coming away with a win in this spot, pricing them as 2.5-point favorites on the spread. The total is set at over/under 214.5 points.
Below, we break down the matchup for both teams and offer a free pick for the betting community!
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Denver Nuggets
Struggles on the road
Despite having the best record in the Western Conference during the regular season, the Nuggets never proved themselves as a formidable road team. Playing outside of their home building this year, Denver was an unimpressive 19-22 overall. During these playoffs, the Nuggets are 4-3 on the road, but they are one bounce away from being 3-4 if not for the Los Angeles Lakers poorly executing in the final minutes during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. This group is more vulnerable than many bettors realize heading into tomorrow night.
Jokic needs help
In two games to begin this series, Nikola Jokic is averaging 34.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists on 60.0% shooting from the floor. Jamal Murray is his only teammate averaging more than 14.0 points per game to begin these NBA Finals. It is a known phenomenon that role players typically play far worse on the road than at home, especially during the postseason in front of hostile crowds. Denver is going to need to lean on Jokic and Murray extensively if they want to return home for Game 5 with a series lead.
Miami Heat
Heat Culture proving itself a tough out once again
Despite the absence of Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, the Miami Heat have played at a high level during these playoffs. Other than a seven-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals, Miami has been relatively unchallenged en route to another championship appearance. Active contributions from the entire roster have helped this team outplay projections time and time again, with their latest “improbable” win coming in Game 2 against the heavily favored Nuggets. Bet against this group at your own risk.
Making it rain from three
One salient weak point for Miami when looking at their roster construction is allegedly their lack of shooters. However, through two games to begin the NBA Finals, Miami has performed exceptionally in this area of the game – shooting 40.1% on 74 attempts. Heading home for the next two contests, the Heat offense in a good position to take a commanding hold of this series if they can continue to knock down open shots from the perimeter.
NBA Finals Game 3 Prediction: Under 214.5
It is impossible to overstate how slow the pace has been in the first two games of this series between the Nuggets and Heat. Heading into Game 3, these two teams are averaging less than 90 possessions per contest. In Game 2, Denver and Miami combined for 219 points, but both teams shot 48.7% or better from the field – something that is highly unlikely to continue happening as the defensive intensity increases throughout this series. It is also doubtful that either team will be able to sustain their shooting numbers from an offensive perspective, even if the defensive intensity held constant. The under looks like one of the best bets on the board for Wednesday night on the hardwood.
- PICK: Under 214.5
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