Nuggets vs. Heat Prediction and Odds: Ride Miami as Denver is Fizzling

The Miami Heat come off perhaps their biggest win of the season; defeating the Chicago Bulls 104-104 on the road Saturday night. It was the first challenge that the Heat have faced in nearly a month after a soft schedule the last couple of weeks. 

The Heat are now just one game back from the lead in the East behind the Brooklyn Nets and have a good matchup against a struggling Denver Nuggets squad. 

After starting the season 4-2, the Nuggets have experienced a slight collapse and enter this game at 9-10. Denver is dealing with a six-game losing streak after dropping games to the Bucks, Bulls, and Sixers in recent games.

This is a rematch of a game three weeks ago that the Heat emerges victorious 113-96. The Nuggets, no doubt, will be looking for revenge. 

Here are the odds for this Monday night showdown courtesy of WynnBET: 

Nuggets vs. Heat Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• Nuggets: +7.5 (-110)
• Heat: -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Nuggets: +250
• Heat: -300

Total: 

• 207.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Nuggets vs. Heat Prediction and Pick

With their most recent loss at home to the Bucks, Denver is now fourth in the Northwest Division, 3.5 games behind the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets now rank 26th in the NBA in scoring offense with an average of just 102.8 points per game. Things aren’t much better on the glass where the Nuggets are 28th in rebounding with a mere 43.3 boards per game. 

Where Denver really shines is on defense and they are the number one ranked scoring defense in the league. The Nuggets allow barely over 100 points per game to opponents and that is where they need to focus their attention tonight. 

This the Nuggets have been busy losing, the Heat are gaining momentum. The victory over the Bulls was their sixth in eight games. The Heat are also 6-1 straight up and against the Heat spread at home this year. Overall, they're 13-7 agains the spread (ATS). 

On paper, these teams match up well but Denver is dealing with some serious issues on offense and has been unable to grind out wins when needed. As a road team, the Nuggets are 2-6 ATS and 4-7 as betting underdogs. The Heat are just too hot right now to bet against at home against a struggling team. 

Pick: Miami Heat -7.5 (-110)