As the Heat come to Denver to face the Nuggets, this is a bit of a depressing matchup. Jamal Murray tore his ACL at the end of Monday’s game against Golden State, costing him the rest of this season and most of next. He was a superstar in the playoffs last year, so to see him go down like this is just horrible.
Murray had not been as effective as that magic postseason run, but he’s still an amazing player and a tremendously talented guard. To see him go down like he did with the ACL injury is the type of thing that just breaks your heart. He works his tail off, and he can play through so much pain while still being effective. Here’s to the quickest recovery possible for him.
Miami lost to the Suns on Tuesday night and will look to quickly shake off the rust. Every game they lose right now is costly because it is the difference between being a top-six team and being lowered into the play-in tournament. Miami can probably earn a spot through that tournament, but it would mean Philly or Brooklyn would await them in round one. Nobody wants that, and this team should be no exception.
Odds: The Nuggets are serving as the favorites, the spread is at Denver -4. The over/under is set at 212.5 points.
Miami Seeking Road Victory
28-26 is not a bad record for Miami when considering the type of season it has been for them. Jimmy Butler was in and out of the lineup through the first two months, while a number of role players were constantly sliding in and out, too. And now, Victor Oladipo will be on the shelf for quite a while, terrible news for their prized trade deadline acquisition, who had wanted to come to Miami for the past two years.
Butler and his sidekick Bam Adebayo form quite the 1-2 tandem, and a rare one where neither looks much for the three-ball. Jimmy is averaging career-highs in rebounds, assists, steals, and field-goal percentage, taking smarter shots and operating as the team’s starting point guard.
At the end of the day, the Heat are a team you want to avoid in the playoffs. Too many options and lineup combos.
Denver Seeks PJ Dozier Win
At 34-20, Denver is one win away from 35, which is the number currently occupied by PJ Dozier, a talented perimeter defender. Coming off back-to-back losses, the team has to try and now regroup with Murray not walking through that door again for a number of months. It’s on Facu Campazzo and Monte Morris to step up right now.
Jokic is going to continue to put up big numbers and make plays all over the place, but the guard who can score from every inch of the floor isn’t around anymore. It’s really on Michael Porter Jr. to step up as a consistent scoring threat, now that he’s been elevated to the #2 option in the offense. And Aaron Gordon needs to as well.
Denver Snaps the Funk
The Nuggets will win their first game without Jamal Murray, knocking off the Heat.
FREE PLAY: DENVER -4
OVER/UNDER: OVER 212.5
