Nuggets vs. Heat Spread Prediction
Two teams that have won seven of their last 10 games will meet in Miami on Tuesday night when the Heat host the Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. ET. Listed as a small road underdog, are the Nuggets a strong play at the betting window?
Game Snapshot
507 Denver Nuggets at 508 Miami Heat
7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, January 8, 2019
American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Heat are 1.5-point favorites to beat the Nuggets. The total, meanwhile, sits at 210 points and as of this writing, 55% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Nuggets to cover the point spread.
Denver Nuggets Fantasy Spin
Nikola Jokic posted another double-double Monday vs. the Rockets, finishing with 24 points (11-of-20 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, one blocked shot and one three-pointer in 28 minutes. The double-double is Jokic’s 24th of the season, but despite that and his shooting 55% from the field the night was anything but smooth for the big man. His eight turnovers are a single-game high for the season, and he’s now turned the ball over a total of 11 times in two matchups with the Rockets. Jokic posted some good numbers Monday, but fantasy players who have him in 9-category leagues took a slight hit due to that high turnover count.
Miami Heat Fantasy Spin
The Heat lost to the Hawks on Sunday, with Hassan Whiteside contributing just two points, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 21 minutes. Miami is still No. 6 in the East despite a 3-8 record in the relatively weak Southeast Division. That includes three losses to the woeful Hawks, who apparently have their number this season. Erik Spoelstra has a deep roster and isn’t afraid to mix things up, but there’s no reason to think Whiteside’s role is in jeopardy. He hasn’t been held to single-digit boards in consecutive games all season, and should haul them in vs. the Nuggets on Tuesday.
NBA Betting Trends
Denver
The Nuggets have won seven of their last 10 games straight up but they have been a poor road play for bettors, cashing just once in their last seven games away from Denver.
Miami
The Heat are 11-4 against the spread in their last 15 games overall and are 8-2 against the number in their last 10 matchups with Western Conference opponents.
Prediction
Despite their issues covering on the road, I’m backing the Nuggets tonight. Miami has won seven of its last 10 overall but if you narrow that number down, they’re just 3-3 over their last six games, with losses to the Hawks and Timberwolves as favorites. The Nuggets are also 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games in Miami while the road team has covered in five of the last six meetings between these two teams. I think the Nuggets are the better team and with their previous success in South Beach, I see Denver getting it done tonight.
Tuesday NBA Prediction: Denver Nuggets +1.5