Heat vs. Nuggets Predictions, Odds & Picks – NBA Finals Game 3

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dribbles the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the second quarter in game two of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena.
Image Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The series is now tied 1-1 as the Miami Heat will host the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 on Wednesday, June 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 pm ET while airing on ABC.

The Nuggets enter this game as 2.5-point favorites with the total set at 214.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Heat vs. Nuggets predictions, odds, and picks below.

Heat vs. Nuggets Odds

  • Spread: Nuggets -2.5
  • Total: 214.5

Odds via Bet365. If you are new to Bet365, click our exclusive promo link below to Bet $1 to Get $200 in bonus bets, regardless if you win or lose.

Game Info

  • Date: Wednesday, June 7
  • Time: 8:30 pm ET
  • Location: Kaseya Center – Miami, FL
  • TV: ABC

Our top NBA props. Everyday. Matt LaMarca runs through their Best NBA Player Props Today for Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Heat Betting Trends

  • Heat are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.
  • Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Miami.

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Nuggets Betting Trends

  • Nuggets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
  • Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.

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Heat vs. Nuggets Predictions

Sure, Miami’s Game 2 win was impressive, but let’s not forget that it took a fourth-quarter frenzy for them to make it happen. The Heat shot a scorching 11-of-16 in the final frame, but what are the odds of Miami replicating that kind of shooting performance in Game 3?

On the other hand, the Denver Nuggets have proven they’re the better overall team, rocking a 5-2 record against the spread (ATS) in their last seven games overall, which includes a blemish due to the loss on Sunday.

Now, let’s talk about the Nuggets’ dynamic duo: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Jokic went off for 41 points in Game 2, while Murray dished out 10 assists. If that doesn’t scream “game-changers,” I don’t know what does. The Nuggets’ main issue in Game 2 was their lack of production outside of their stars, but with this series tightening up, expect Denver’s role players to step up in the crucial Game 3.

Another point of concern for the Nuggets was their subpar defense, allowing Miami to shoot a whopping 48.6% from beyond the arc. But the Heat’s hot shooting isn’t sustainable, and Denver’s defense is bound to tighten up. After all, Miami is shooting 39.1% from downtown in the playoffs, and they can’t bank on Gabe Vincent’s 9-of-16 three-point shooting performance from the first two games to save them every time.

Heat vs. Nuggets Picks

But let’s not get too caught up in the numbers. The Nuggets are a gritty, determined team that knows how to bounce back in the face of adversity. With a strong performance from Jokic and Murray, coupled with a more balanced attack from their supporting cast, Denver is more than capable of taking Game 3 and covering the spread.

While Miami’s Game 2 victory was certainly a spectacle, it’s not a reliable indicator of what’s to come in Game 3. The Denver Nuggets are the better overall team, and their recent ATS record speaks for itself. Don’t let the Heat’s fleeting shooting success fool you – the Nuggets are ready to bounce back, cover the -2.5 spread, and make a statement in this NBA Finals series.

The Pick: Nuggets -2.5 | Bet $1, Get $200 (win or lose) at Bet365