In Game 2 the Miami Heat did what they’ve done all postseason:  outwork and out-hustle a team that is supposed to be better than them, which led to a 111-108 win. The result tied the NBA Finals at 1-1 with a couple of contests coming up on the Heat’s court.

The basketball savants believe that Mike Malone’s Nuggets will get the job done in Game 3, but not by much. They’re -2.5 favourites on the NBA odds. The total is currently set at 214.5.

Nuggets vs. Heat NBA Finals Betting Odds

Game 2’s result has shaken the series table. Heading into the second bout, Denver was a -769 favourite to win the title. Now, with the series even and potentially three of the next four tilts in Miami, that has changed to -278. The Heat now sit at +199, so they should be feeling pretty good about themselves.

Being tied 1-1 is new territory for Denver. In each of their three previous rounds, they travelled to the underdogs’ cities up 2-0. Conversely, Miami will have gone through all four rounds having never lost the first two games on the road. Overall, the Nuggets are 10-7 against the spread, whereas the Heat are an impressive 15-7.

Save for a couple of games in the Eastern Conference final, Miami has been splendid at home, with a 6-2 record and a few blowout wins to boot.

Denver Nuggets

Denver is far too talented and has more than enough depth to avoid worrying about what happened in Game 2 and where its result has left them. Even so, they have a lesson or two to learn about what it means to play the 2023 playoff Miami Heat.

Sunday night was many games within a larger game. The visitors looked loose and comfortable in the opening minutes, claiming a 21-10 lead after seven minutes. From that point on, it was the Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, who stormed back and eventually held a 50-35 lead five minutes before halftime. Bruce Brown got in on the action (11 points), although Jamal Murray was a quitter than usual (18 points off 7-for-15 shooting).

The Joker did everything in his power to lead his club to victory, frequently bulldozing his way into the paint for a total of 41 points. But it was a curious night. So often a triple-double player, he only had four assists. Perhaps he sensed that this one was on him. It didn’t matter in the end because Miami found its rhythm from beyond the arc and it can be argued that Denver let them. It often felt like a repeat of Game 1 when the Heat had many open looks. Shots from distance weren’t as contested as they should have been, and this time the Nuggets paid the price.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are road playoff underdogs, playing in a hostile environment, trailing by double-digits at some point in the game, but find a way to win. What else is new?

It happened again, only this time, there was something different from the outset. As we just explained in the previous section, Miami came out firing early. Max Strus, who had a Game 1 to forget, hit a couple of threes early to get going. He only finished with 14 points, but considering the Heat won by just three, it was all hands on deck. The sign that things are going very well is when three important players hit the 20-point mark. Jimmy Butler (21), Bam Adebayo (21), and Gabe Vincent (23) all had solid nights individually and collectively made the difference.

Three-point shooting was sensational at 48.6 per cent (17-for 35). Both Games 1 and 2 saw Miami execute great movement off the ball and passing to get open shots. In Game 1 they didn’t fall. In Game 2 they did. If they continue to confuse Denver’s defence the way they have so far, all they need is to make their shots.

Game 3 Prediction: Who Will Win Nuggets vs. Heat?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Nuggets Team Leaders

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.49
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.83
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.84
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 76.5
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.47
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.75

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 22.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.31
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.17
FG%	Cody Zeller 62.7
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.83
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.81

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 30
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.5
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.45
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 66.7
Steals	Jamal Murray 1.5
Blocks	Nikola Jokic 1

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 26.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.86
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.87
FG%	Haywood Highsmith 61.5
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.82
Blocks	Tyler Herro 1

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Heat Team Leaders

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 24.49
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.83
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 11.84
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 76.5
Steals	Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 1.47
Blocks	Aaron Gordon 0.75

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 22.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.31
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.17
FG%	Cody Zeller 62.7
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.83
Blocks	Bam Adebayo 0.81

DEN

Points	Nikola Jokic 30
Assists	Nikola Jokic 9.5
Rebounds	Nikola Jokic 13.45
FG%	DeAndre Jordan 66.7
Steals	Jamal Murray 1.5
Blocks	Nikola Jokic 1

MIA

Points	Jimmy Butler 26.91
Assists	Jimmy Butler 5.86
Rebounds	Bam Adebayo 9.87
FG%	Haywood Highsmith 61.5
Steals	Jimmy Butler 1.82
Blocks	Tyler Herro 1

Injuries

Denver

Jamal Murray (SG)

Ques Fri Hand - 08 / 06 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Tues Illness - 15 / 05 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Thurs Illness - 11 / 05 / 23

Aaron Gordon (PF)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 23

Jeff Green (SF)

Prob Sun Face - 09 / 04 / 23

Jamal Murray (SG)

Prob Sun Thumb - 09 / 04 / 23

Michael Porter Jr. (PF)

Prob Sun Heel - 09 / 04 / 23

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)

Prob Sun Illness - 09 / 04 / 23

Reggie Jackson (PG)

Prob Sun Back - 09 / 04 / 23

Michael Porter Jr. (PF)

Prob Sat Heel - 07 / 04 / 23

Miami

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Wed Foot - 06 / 06 / 23

Caleb Martin (SF)

Prob Sun Illness - 03 / 06 / 23

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Sun Foot - 03 / 06 / 23

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Ques Mon Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23

Gabe Vincent (SG)

Ques Sat Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23

Kevin Love (PF)

Prob Tues Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23

Omer Yurtseven (C)

Ques Fri Nose - 18 / 05 / 23

Cody Zeller (PF)

Prob Wed Illness - 15 / 05 / 23

Jimmy Butler (PF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23

Haywood Highsmith (SF)

Prob Fri Knee - 11 / 05 / 23

Injuries

Denver

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jamal Murray (SG)	Ques Fri	Hand - 08 / 06 / 23	2-1	1-2	+ -
Murray is dealing with a left hand abrasion, and it is undetermined if he will be active for Game 4 of the NBA Finals versus the Heat.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 15 / 05 / 23	6-3	3-6	+ -
Murray is managing an illness, but it is expected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals versus the Lakers.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Thurs	Illness - 11 / 05 / 23	7-3	3-7	+ -
Murray is nursing an illness, but it is forecasted that he will be available for Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Suns.
Aaron Gordon (PF)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Gordon is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, but it is projected that he will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Jeff Green (SF)	Prob Sun	Face - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Green is hampered by a facial contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray (SG)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Murray is tending to a right thumb sprain, but it is not expected to affect his availability against the Timberwolves for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)	Prob Sun	Heel - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Porter is managing a left heel injury, but it is anticipated that he will take to the court versus the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG)	Prob Sun	Illness - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Caldwell-Pope is ailing from a non-COVID illness, but it is expected that the symptoms will subside in time for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round against the Timberwolves.
Reggie Jackson (PG)	Prob Sun	Back - 09 / 04 / 23	13-8	10-10-1	+ -
Jackson is hampered by lower back pain, but it is not expected to impact his status against the Kings on Sunday.
Michael Porter Jr. (PF)	Prob Sat	Heel - 07 / 04 / 23	14-9	11-11-1	+ -
Porter Jr. is hindered by a heel ailment, but he is expected to take the court against the Jazz on Saturday.

Miami

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Wed	Foot - 06 / 06 / 23	1-2	1-2	+ -
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is not expected to impact his status for Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Caleb Martin (SF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 03 / 06 / 23	1-3	1-3	+ -
Martin is nursing an illness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Game 2 for the NBA Finals against the Nuggets.
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 03 / 06 / 23	1-3	1-3	+ -
Zeller is tending to a right foot sprain, but it is projected that he will face the Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA finals.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Ques Mon	Ankle - 28 / 05 / 23	3-4	1-6	+ -
Vincent is nursing a left ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Gabe Vincent (SG)	Ques Sat	Ankle - 24 / 05 / 23	4-5	2-7	+ -
Vincent is hobbled by a left ankle sprain, and it is undetermined if he will suit up against the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Kevin Love (PF)	Prob Tues	Ankle - 21 / 05 / 23	5-5	3-7	+ -
Love is nursing an ankle injury, but it is expected that he will partake in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Celtics.
Omer Yurtseven (C)	Ques Fri	Nose - 18 / 05 / 23	6-6	4-8	+ -
Yurtseven is tending to a nasal contusion, and it is uncertain if he will be active for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Cody Zeller (PF)	Prob Wed	Illness - 15 / 05 / 23	6-6	4-8	+ -
Zeller is ailing from an illness, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals versus the Celtics.
Jimmy Butler (PF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 11 / 05 / 23	6-7	5-8	+ -
Butler is dealing with a right ankle sprain, but he is still expected to be in the lineup for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals versus the Knicks.
Haywood Highsmith (SF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 11 / 05 / 23	6-7	5-8	+ -
Highsmith has tendinitis in his left knee, but it is not projected to affect his status ahead of the matchup against the Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.