The Denver Nuggets are set to take on the Miami Heat on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. With the game scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET, both teams are looking to solidify their standings in the NBA. The Nuggets, currently with a record of 22-9, have a slight edge in their past encounter with the Heat, leading the season series 1-0 after a 122-112 victory earlier in November.
However, the Nuggets have faced challenges recently, losing two of their last three games, including a narrow 127-126 defeat to the Orlando Magic last Saturday. Star center Nikola Jokic continues to shine, contributing a remarkable 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 12 assists in that game, maintaining an impressive average of a triple-double this month with 31.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 11.3 assists per game.
On the other hand, the Miami Heat have seen a resurgence, winning their last two games, including a dominant performance against the Indiana Pacers, where they triumphed 142-116. The team notably played without key players, including center Bam Adebayo and guard Tyler Herro, but received significant contributions from Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Andrew Wiggins, both scoring 28 points. Jaquez is showing promising form, averaging 20.2 points per game over his last six outings.
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Nuggets are favored with a moneyline of -140, while the Heat are at +115. The spread stands at Nuggets -2.5. The over/under for the game is set at 245.5. Injuries will also play a crucial role, with the Nuggets missing Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Cam Johnson. The Heat have Adebayo listed as probable while Herro and Terry Rozier III are confirmed out.
Analysts predict a comfortable win for the Nuggets with a final score of 121-105, noting their strong historical performance against Miami, winning 8 consecutive games against them. The recommendation is to take the Nuggets at -2.5, as they have consistently outperformed the Heat in recent matchups. Meanwhile, bettors might consider the under on the total points given the recent trends.
This matchup promises an engaging contest as both teams seek to bolster their confidence and playoff positioning amid a competitive season.