Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets: NBA Betting Odds and Predictions

Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets
Thursday, 11/15/12, 10:30 PM EST, TV: TNT
Opening Point Spread: Denver -3.5
Current Betting Line: Denver -3.5
Opening Total: 201.5
Current Total: 201.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Miami Heat are struggling on the defensive end this year

Miami has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, but has failed to cover the spread in its last three contests, including a 107-100 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as one-point road favorites last night. “We have some good moments, but we have to put a full game together on the road,” stated Heat guard Dwyane Wade. The Heat are leading the NBA in averaging 104.9 points per game, but they’ve allowed six of nine opponents to score over the century mark this year. Miami is 0-2 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite this year, something to consider when making your pro basketball picks on Thursday night.

The Heat were led by forward LeBron James offensively against the Clippers, as he scored 30 points and dished out seven assists. He has scored at least 20 points in the first nine games this season, which is the best such span in his career. Miami has scored a combined 944 points in its first nine games, which is the fourth-highest point total in such a span in franchise history.

Denver returns home after splitting a two-game road trip against Western Conference opponents, but suffered a 110-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns as 4.5-point road favorites last time out. The Nuggets have won 11 of their last 14 meetings against the Heat, while they currently own a 10-game home win streak inside the Pepsi Center in this series, which serves as the team’s longest active home winning streak against an Eastern Conference opponent. Denver is 2-0 ATS as a home favorite this year.

The Nuggets suffered a 119-116 loss to the Heat as 8.5-point road underdogs on Nov. 3, but they’ve managed to cover the spread in the last five meeting in this non-conference series. Denver has four probable starters that are averaging double-figures in scoring, with shooting guard Andre Iguodala leading the way, while point guard Ty Lawson is averaging 7.8 assists per game. The franchise won eight of 10 home games last year when facing an opponent that’s playing the second game of a back-to-back set.