NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (Nuggets vs. Heat)

We’ve got ourselves a series!

The Miami Heat, underdogs by nearly nine points, defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the NBA Finals to even the series at one.

The Eastern Conference’s eight-seed has been doubted all postseason. But Miami continues to work magic and surprise every team in front of them.

The Heat are now in a position to win the NBA Title. It won’t be easy, but if Miami can win their three home games, they’ll be the champions.

It starts with Game 3. Can the Heat take the series lead over the Nuggets in the NBA Finals? Here’s my prediction.

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Denver Nuggets at Miami Heat

The Miami Heat did it. They beat the Denver Nuggets, despite allowing Denver to shoot 52 percent from the field in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

The Heat shot .487, but more importantly, shot .486 from three and 90 percent from the foul line on 20 attempts.

Denver wasn’t poor from deep, either. The Nuggets hit .393 from three and added 19 free throws on 22 attempts. The Nuggets even earned seven more rebounds.

However, Denver turned the ball over 14 times in Game 2 and took three fewer shots than the Heat. That was essentially the difference in a three-point defeat.

The Heat got solid contributions from almost everyone. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Gabe Vincent all added at least 21 points. Kevin Love started the game for an unhealthy Caleb Martin and hauled in 10 boards to lead the team.

Even Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry contributed a combined 19 points off the bench.

And no, Tyler Herro won’t return to the hardwood for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Reports state that he’s still got some pain in his hand, and he also doesn’t want to ruin the chemistry that the Heat have built. This doesn’t make him look bad. This is just reality. Herro’s valuable to the Heat, but it would’ve taken some time for Miami to get used to his playing style.

But anyway, is it realistic to think that the Heat can repeat shooting nearly 49 percent from downtown in Game 3? The Nuggets owned the Heat in transition, adding 18 points to Miami’s five in Game 2. The Nuggets made an effort to get more easy looks in transition. Denver also added 14 more points in the paint than the Heat.

In Game 1, Miami shot .333 from three on 39 attempts. The Heat live and die from three. Denver will win the glass, earn more fastbreak points, and score more points around the paint. The Nuggets will get easier looks, while the Heat have to rely on the three. Even at home, I don’t like Miami’s chances.

I’ll take Denver -2.5 on the road.

Bet: Nuggets -2.5 (-110)

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