Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets (24-16) are in South Beach to face the Miami Heat (20-19) in NBA inter-conference action on Friday night. Whether you’re looking for the best game bets or the most enticing player props, this Nuggets vs. Heat betting preview is here to help you join in on the fun.
Which of these two teams will avoid suffering another consecutive loss?
Let’s answer that question as we dive into today’s Nuggets vs. Heat predictions and odds, as well as two bets I’m eyeing!
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NBA Betting: Nuggets vs Heat Preview (1/17)
Nuggets vs Heat Betting Information
- Matchup: Denver Nuggets (24-16, 12-8 Away) vs. Miami Heat (20-19, 10-7 Home)
- Venue & Location: Kaseya Center (Miami, FL)
- Date: Friday, Jan. 17, 2025
- Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
- How to Watch Nuggets vs. Heat: NBA League Pass, FDSSUN, Altitude
Nuggets vs Heat NBA Betting Odds
All NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Friday, Jan. 17 at 10:25 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.
Nuggets vs Heat Spread
- Denver Nuggets +1 (-110)
- Miami Heat -1 (-110)
Heat vs Nuggets Over/Under
- Over 226 Points (-105)
- Under 226 Points (-115)
Nuggets vs Heat Moneyline
- Denver Nuggets -107
- Miami Heat -113
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Nuggets vs Heat NBA Betting Trends
- Denver is 6-0 straight up in its last six games vs. Miami.
- Miami is 6-2 straight up in its last eight games played on Friday.
- Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.
- Miami is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games vs. Denver.
- The total hit the Under in 12 of Denver’s last 16 games played in January
- The total hit the under in five of Miami’s last six games vs. Denver.
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Nuggets vs Heat NBA Predictions & Picks (1/17)
The Heat are back in Miami tonight following an up-and-down six-game road trip. Although the voyage began with a promising 3-1 SU start, things quickly turned the other way with back-to-back losses to end the trip. The Heat most recently fell 117-108 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, leaving time to tell if they can turn things around against the Nuggets tonight.
It’s the second and final clash of the 2024-25 NBA regular season between these teams. They first met at Ball Arena on Nov. 8, ending in a 135-122 victory for the Nuggets as Jokic recorded yet another triple-double (30 points, 14 assists, 11 rebounds) while Jamal Murray dropped 28 points as he shot 52.9% from the floor and 40.0% from the outside.
Having said that, the Nuggets can only defeat the Heat if they find a way to rebound from a 128-108 loss to the Houston Rockets two nights ago. Although the loss halted Denver’s win streak at four consecutive games, it’s worth noting that Michael Malone’s team has only suffered consecutive defeats once in the last 19 games, going 13-6 SU along the way.
The Nuggets have also proven that they’re more than comfortable playing in enemy territory. They emerged victorious in each of their four previous away contests, outscoring those opponents by an average of 13.0 PPG.
Do the Nuggets have what it takes to win their fifth consecutive road game?
The Nuggets might be primed for a road upset, but their chances of victory could hinge on their injury situation. After all, Jokic (elbow) and Aaron Gordon (calf) are both expected to be game-time decisions with their respective injuries. The good news is that Murray — who’s been banged up with a knee injury — is considered ‘probable’ to play.
Conversely, Josh Richardson (heel) is the only player the Heat have ruled out for this evening’s action. Additionally, Miami is expected to have Jimmy Butler back in the lineup after missing the last seven games due to an in-house suspension as trade rumors swirl. It’s worth noting that the Heat have a slightly better win percentage with Butler in the lineup this season (54.5%) than they do without him (47.1%).
Given that he wasn’t exactly trying his best before the suspension, Butler’s return might not matter that much tonight.
The Verdict
At the end of the day, I’m predicting that the Nuggets will win tonight. They’ve already defeated the Heat by 13 points this season, marking Jokic & Co.’s sixth consecutive win over the Heat. Let’s also point out how Denver hasn’t lost in Miami since March 2018, having won each of its last seven trips to Kaseya Center with a plus-12.0 average scoring margin.
With the moneyline providing slightly more value than the 1-point spread at the moment, take the Nuggets to win outright as the best game bet.
Nuggets vs. Heat NBA Prediction: DEN wins
Best Nuggets vs. Heat NBA Bet: DEN ML (-107)
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Best Nuggets vs Heat NBA Player Prop Bet (1/17)
Assuming that he suits up in Miami, I like the Over (+115 on Bovada) Nikola Jokic’s 9.5-assist total as tonight’s best Nuggets vs. Heat player prop bet opportunity.
Jokic is one of the best playmaking big men that the NBA has ever seen. He’s cemented that fact by averaging a career-high 9.9 assists through his first 34 games this season, finishing with 10-plus helpers in 18 of those appearances (52.9%). Even though he’s been playing banged-up lately, the three-time NBA MVP has still found ways to set up his teammates, proven by his averaging 11.1 APG while the Over went 6-3 in his last nine outings.
The Heat know just how good of a playmaker Jokic can be, having given up 14 assists to him back in November. Considering that Miami also allows the 10th-most APG at home, I’d be shocked if the Nuggets superstar doesn’t finish with double-digit helpers again.