Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Prediction and Preview - Dec. 29 | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat will face each other at the Kaseya Center in Florida on Monday. This matchup will be their second and final meeting of the season, with the Nuggets securing a 122-112 win in the previous game.

Both teams come into this game in very different headspaces. Denver is coming off a tough 127–126 loss to Orlando, while Miami heads in with confidence after a comfortable 142–116 win over Indiana.

Even with the setback, the Nuggets still sit third in the West at 22–9. The Heat, meanwhile, moved up to seventh in the East with a 17–15 record.

It also sets up a strong home-and-road clash. Miami will look to protect its 11–5 record at home, while Denver arrives as one of the league’s best road teams at 12–4.

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Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction

Moneyline: Nuggets -142, Heat +120

Spread: Nuggets -2.5 (-110), Heat +2.5 (-110)

Total over/under (o/u): Nuggets o245.5 (-105), Heat u245.5 (-115)

*Editor's note: Odds are subject to change closer to tip-off*

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat preview

The Nuggets have hit a small bump over the past week, going 2–3 after putting together a six-game winning streak. That narrow loss in Orlando to start their road trip stung, and now they’ll be looking to steady things as their long East Coast swing continues against Miami.

Most of Denver’s recent problems have come on the defensive end. They’re giving up 117.5 ppg, 20th-best mark in the league. Offensively, though, they’re still among the NBA’s elite, leading the league in scoring at 125.8 ppg and continuing to move the ball well, ranking third in assists at 29.7 per night.

As expected, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray remain the engine of this team. Jokic is everywhere, scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, leading the team with 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists. Murray has been just as important, adding 25.4 points and 6.8 assists per game.

Miami, on the other hand, comes in with a bit of momentum after winning two straight. It’s been a much-needed lift after a rough stretch earlier in December, when they dropped eight of their first 10 games.

The Heat haven’t been much stronger defensively, allowing 117.4 points per game, which ranks 17th in the league. Offensively, though, they’ve been far more reliable, averaging 120.2 points per game, sixth in the NBA.

With Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo missing significant time, Norman Powell has taken on a larger role and delivered. He’s been Miami’s most consistent scorer, putting up 23.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Kel’el Ware has also made an impact, averaging 12.4 points and 10.6 rebounds while appearing in all 32 games.

Both teams will be a little short-handed heading into this one. Denver is expected to be without Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Tamar Bates, while Miami could be missing Bam Adebayo and is also likely without Tyler Herro.

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat predicted starting fives

Denver Nuggets predicted starting five

PG- Jamal Murray, SG- Tim Hardaway Jr., SF- Spencer Jones, PF- Peyton Watson, C- Nikola Jokic

Miami Heat predicted starting five

PG- Davion Mitchell, SG- Norman Powell, SF- Pelle Larsson, PF- Andrew Wiggins, C- Kel'El Ware

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat betting tips

Nikola Jokic is expected to score over 29.5 points, following his 34-point performance. He is averaging 29.9 ppg.

Andrew Wiggins is projected to score over 15.5 points. He is averaging 16.3 ppg this season.

Kel'el Ware is expected to collect over 10.5 rebounds. He is averaging 10.6 rpg.

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat prediction

The Denver Nuggets enter as 2.5-point favorites, largely due to their stronger overall record. However, with Denver missing several key starters and Miami riding a strong run while holding home-court advantage, the Heat could be well placed to pull off an upset.

Prediction: Miami to win by 7 points or less.

Edited by Arian Kashyap