A 111-108 win by the Miami Heat against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals has this series tied up at 1-1. Will the Heat go back-to-back and get the 2-1 series lead? Or, will the Nuggets hit Miami with a strong response to retake the driver’s seat?

Catch this game live on Thursday, June 8, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Denver Nuggets (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Jamal Murray
  • SG:  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • SF: Michael Porter Jr. 
  • PF: Aaron Gordon
  • C: Nikola Jokic

Michael Malone did not like the level of effort the Nuggets put up in Game 2 and he did not shy away from saying it in front of reporters. Whether that lit a fire under the Nuggets is something that remains to be seen, but what continues to be certain for Denver is that Nikola Jokic is one hell of a player that Miami has no real answer for. Jokic torched the Heat for 41 points in Game 2 to go with 11 rebounds.

 He only had four assists, but a triple-double could be on the way in Game 3 for the Serbian, considering that he’s averaging a trip-dub in the playoffs, thus far. Another thing to note about the Nuggets is that they have covered the spread in each of their last four trips to Miami. Plus, the Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games that came after a defeat. 

Home: Miami Heat (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Gabe Vincent
  • SG: Max Strus
  • SF: Jimmy Butler
  • PF: Kevin Love 
  • C: Bam Adebayo

Miami checked one of the major items on its to-do list in the 2023 NBA Finals, which is to steal at least a win on the road in the first two games of the series. Not only did the Heat manage to tie the series at 1-1, but they also made sure they’re the ones riding with momentum heading into Game 3 in South Beach.  

Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson provided a huge lift for Miami in Game 2, scoring 23 and 10 points, respectively. Robinson poured all his points in that game in the fourth period, while Vincent also went 4/6 from behind the arc. Max Strus has also seemingly recaptured his shooting back with four 3-pointers in Game 2 after torturing the basket for nine painful misses from deep. Kevin Love might also get another start, as his 34-year-old body seemed to deter Aaron Gordon from bullying Miami’s smaller defenders as much as he did in the series opener. 

Miami is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 home games.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Nuggets (-2.5) cover the spread. 

Over/Under: The total (214.5) hits the Under.