Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Miami (-3.5)
Game Total Line: (210.5)
(wagering lines available at Betonline.com)

The defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat finish off a five-game cross-country road trip when they visit the Mile High City for a Friday the 13th date with the Denver Nuggets (10:30 pm Eastern, ESPN).

Heading into a game at the LA Clippers Wednesday night Miami stands at 8-2 and on top of the Southeast Division, a game ahead of second-place Atlanta. The Heat started 5-0, with wins over defending league champion Dallas and Boston, before falling to the Hawks. Miami then won three more in a row, but Tuesday night blew a 12-point fourth quarter lead, scoring just 12 points in the final frame, and eventually lost in overtime at Golden State 111-106.

Denver, going into a home game with New Jersey Wednesday night, is 6-4, which puts them 2.5 games back of first-place Oklahoma City in the Northwest Division. And the Nuggets have been one of the best moneymakers in the league so far, going 8-2 vs. the pointspreads. Denver started 2-0, with wins over the Mavericks and Utah, then lost two straight at the Lakers and Portland. The Nuggets then won four in a row, but have since lost two straight. Monday night they got beat at home as 13-point favorites by New Orleans 94-81, shooting just 41 percent from the floor.

Statistically speaking Miami leads the league in scoring at 108 PPG and in FG shooting at a shade under 50 percent. Defensively the Heat are allowing 98 PPG but rank third in FG defense at 41.5 percent.

Denver ranks second in the league in scoring at 102 PPG, third in shooting at just under 48 percent but 22nd in FG defense at 45 percent.

The over/unders are 7-3 in Heat games this season, which have averaged 206 points.

The totals are 4-6 in Nuggets games, which have averaged 197 points.

Injury-wise Miami G Dwyane Wade has missed some recent action with a sore foot, but he only scored 34 points in his return vs. Golden State Tuesday night. On the other side of this matchup Denver C Nene has been bothered by a sore heel, but he managed to play 30 minutes Monday night and grab 11 rebounds.

Last season these teams split their two games. Denver won at home 130-102, a game that Miami's LeBron James missed. Later in the season the Heat won at home 103-98 as James tossed in 33.

Total Pick

Wade is going to be a gametime decision, but even if he doesn't play we think the Heat will be able to put up points and will. Look for this game to sail over the posted total of 210.
Take the OVER 210 at Bovada