Miami Heat-Denver Nuggets Preview: Can Heat Win Sixth Straight In NBA Finals Rematch?

What to look for in Miami Heat’s Thursday night game in Denver

The Miami Heat (33-25) conclude their longest road trip of the season Thursday against the Denver Nuggets (40-19).

Miami has won five straight, the latest coming Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jimmy Butler starred on both ends, finishing with 22 points, nine assists, four steals and two blocks. Terry Rozier (19 points) and Duncan Robinson (17 points) were also pivotal in the 106-96 road win.

The Nuggets beat the Sacramento Kings last night for their fourth straight win. Nikola Jokić posted a 14-point, 14-rebound, 11-assist triple-double and Jamal Murray scored 32 points on 13-15 shooting. The reigning NBA champions sit third in the Western Conference and look primed for another title run.

Previous Matchups

The teams have not met since the 2023 NBA Finals.

The Nuggets won in five games, the Heat winning only Game 2 in Denver.

Miami was led by Butler and Bam Adebayo. The hobbled Butler averaged 21.6 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 41.3 percent. The Heat big man averaged 21.8 points, 12.4 rebounds while shooting 45.5 percent. The only other Heat players who averaged double-figure points are no longer with Miami (Gabe Vincent, Kyle Lowry).

Jokić dominated for the Nuggets. The Finals MVP averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 58.3 percent and 42.1 percent from three. Co-star Murray scored 21.4 points per game, along with 10.0 assists and 6.2 rebounds.

Opposing Players to Watch

Jokić is the betting favorite to win his third MVP in four years. He is averaging 25.9 points (13th in NBA), 12.3 rebounds (3rd) and 9.3 assists (4th) while shooting 58.3 percent (13th). The six-time All-Star has 19 triple-doubles this season, second most in the NBA.

Murray, often overshadowed by Jokić, is putting together another solid season. The Nuggets guard is averaging 20.9 points, 6.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 48.0 percent and 42.0 percent from three. Murray has scored 32 and 27 points in his last two games, shooting a combined 8-11 from the arc.

Key Matchup

Nikola Jokić vs. Bam Adebayo

Adebayo has been waiting for this matchup ever since the Nuggets clinched last year’s title.

The All-NBA defender looked helpless in the Finals, as Jokić often got whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

Jokić has averaged a ridiculous 24 points, 16 rebounds and 14 assists over his last four games, collecting triple-doubles in all.

Adebayo is averaging 20.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 51.5 percent. The 26-year-old owns a 109.6 defensive rating, eighth-best in the NBA.

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Nick Crandell is a staff contributor at Inside the Heat.

He can be reached at nick.crandell33@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @nickcrandell

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