The Denver Nuggets will look to regain the upper hand when they take on the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Wednesday. After losing 104-93 in the series opener, Miami rebounded with a 111-108 win on Sunday. The Nuggets (53-29), who have dominated the series of late, have won 10 of the past 12 matchups with Miami. The Heat (44-38), the eighth-seed in the Eastern Conference, have already eliminated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, second-seeded Boston Celtics and fifth-seeded New York Knicks. Miami is looking to win its fourth NBA title, and first since 2012-2013.
Tipoff from Kaseya Center in Miami is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. Denver is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Heat vs. Nuggets odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 214. Before making any Nuggets vs. Heat picks, make sure you check out what proven SportsLine NBA expert Larry Hartstein has to say.
A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach. He excels in the NBA, especially when picking Denver Nuggets games. Over the past 99 Denver matchups, he is 58-38-3 against the spread, returning $1,625 for $100 players.
Now, Hartstein has set his sights on Heat vs. Nuggets and just locked in his picks and 2023 NBA Finals predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see Hartstein's picks. Here are the NBA lines and trends for Nuggets vs. Heat:
- Nuggets vs. Heat spread: Nuggets -2.5
- Nuggets vs. Heat over/under: 214 points
- Nuggets vs. Heat money line: Nuggets -150, Heat +126
- DEN: The Nuggets are 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 Wednesday games
- MIA: The Heat are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games
- Nuggets vs. Heat picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Center Nikola Jokic continues to exhibit his former MVP form. In Sunday's loss, Jokic poured in 41 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds and four assists. He is averaging 34 points, 10.5 rebounds and nine assists in the series. Jokic has scored at least 23 points in all but one postseason game, including a high of 43 points in a first-round loss at Minnesota on April 23. He has registered nine triple-doubles during the postseason, including six in the past eight games.
Small forward Michael Porter Jr. registered a double-double in the series opener, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds with two blocks and an assist. He posted three double-doubles in the four-game Western Conference final series against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has posted seven double-doubles this postseason. Porter is connecting on 43.5% of his shots from the floor, including 37.5% from 3-point range. See which team to pick here.
Why the Heat can cover
Small forward Jimmy Butler reached 20 or more points for the third time in four games in the Game 2 win. He scored 21 points, dished out nine assists and grabbed four rebounds. In 19 postseason games, Butler has been a difference-maker. He is averaging 27.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.9 steals. His playoff-high was 56 points in a Game 4 first-round win over top-seeded Milwaukee on April 24. He also scored 42 in the decisive Game 5 overtime win over the Bucks on April 26 in Milwaukee.
Center Bam Adebayo is averaging 23.5 points in the series, and is coming off a 21-point and nine-rebound performance in Game 2. He also dished out four assists and blocked two shots. He was one rebound shy of recording his fourth consecutive double-double. In the Game 1 loss to Denver, he poured in 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with five assists. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. Boston, he had 12 points and 10 rebounds. In 20 postseason games, he is averaging 17.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists. See which team to pick here.
How to make Heat vs. Nuggets picks
Hartstein is leaning Under on the point total, and he has identified a critical X-factor he says makes one side of the spread a must-back. You can find out what it is, and see which side of the Nuggets vs. Heat spread to back, at SportsLine.
Who wins Heat vs. Nuggets, and what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Heat vs. Nuggets spread you need to jump on Wednesday, all from the expert who has returned over $1,600 to $100 players over his last 99 Denver Nuggets picks, and find out.
Nuggets vs. Heat prediction, odds, time: 2023 NBA Finals Game 3 picks, bets by Denver expert on 58-38 roll - CBS Sports
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