The red-hot Denver Nuggets play host to the up-and-down and the visiting Miami Heat in a rematch of the 2023 NBA Finals.

Catch the game tomorrow, November 9th, 10:00 at AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Miami Heat (3-4, 2-1 AWAY)

Projected starting five:

  • Terry Rozier
  • Tyler Herro
  • Jimmy Butler
  • Nikola Jovic
  • Bam Adebayo

It’s yet another slow start, which is much like most Heat seasons. Miami has lost back-to-back games, both of which were via poor play in the final minutes of the 4th quarter. They are averaging 109.1 points per game while allowing 108.6 on the other end. 

While 35-year-old Jimmy Butler (18.3 PPG) is still the alpha of the team, and a focal point of the offense, sixth-year guard Tyler Herro (22.7 PPG, 50 FG%) is in position to takeover the lead scoring role, as seen in posting career-bests in points and field goal shooting, and pacing the team in field goal attempts thus far. We should continue witnessing the transition moving forward.

Bam Adebayo (14.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 39.6 FG%) remains as the workhorse big man, though he has plenty of room for improvement as he has shot terribly through seven outings. Veteran guard Terry Rozier (14.7 PPG, 38.4 FG%), who’s in his first full season with the team, is also displaying inefficiency, and ought to break out of his funk.

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HOME: Denver Nuggets (5-3, 3-2 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Jamal Murray (out) / Russell Westbrook
  • Christian Braun
  • Michael Porter Jr.
  • Aaron Gordon (out) / Peyton Watson
  • Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets are dealing with injuries. Jamal Murray remains sidelined while considered day-to-day, while Aaron Gordon the latter is out for a couple of more weeks. Still, it’s all smiles in Mile High as the team has gone 5-1 after starting out 0-2, with the last few wins filled with clutch plays on both ends.

As per usual over the last several years, it’s all about Nikola Jokic (28.8 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 11.0 APG), who has posted four triple-doubles through the first eight games. He leads the league in rebounds and assists, and is top five in points. Expect to see more of the same this Saturday.

Michael Porter Jr. (17.8 PPG) remains as a key part of the offense, but with all the injuries, third-year guard Christian Braun (16.0 PPG) is strengthening his breakout season further, while the ever-polarizing Russell Westbrook is stepping up to the call. He now has 25.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in his last two outings after shooting a pitiful 23.2% in his first six games as a Nugget.

PICKS:

Spread: Nuggets (-3.5)

Over/Under: Over (222.5)

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