Nuggets vs. Heat: League Pass Must-Watch Game of the Night (8 ET)

The Miami Heat (20-19) will face the Denver Nuggets (24-16) on Friday night in South Beach in an effort to even the season series (8 ET, League Pass). The Nuggets are looking to bounce back from a recent loss, while the Heat aim to halt a two-game losing streak after a grueling ten-day road trip.

Here are five things to know for the matchup:

The Nuggets have been playing some of their best basketball over the last month or so, going 8-3 in their past 11 games. Two of those losses have come without their star center in

Nikola Jokić

. Denver averages the third-most points per game (

120.0

) while ranking fourth in offensive rating (

117.3

), first in assists (

30.9

) and second in field goal percentage (

50.0

).

Murray

got off to somewhat of a slow start in 2024-25, but the eighth-year guard has been heating up for Denver recently. Over his last three games, Murray is averaging 28.0 points and 4.3 assists while shooting 56.9% from the field and 55.0% from 3-point range. He exploded for a season-high 45 points (18-for-26 FGs, 5-for-9 3-pointers), six assists and two steals in Tuesday’s win over Dallas. 

Denver’s offense has evolved this season as they lead the league in fast break points per game (

19.8

) and points scored in the paint (58.1), while also coming in third in 3-point percentage (

38.2

).

Russell Westbrook

has been a key factor for the Nuggets’ success, recording eight double-doubles and three triple-doubles in 40 appearances. Over his last 11 games, Westbrook is averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 52.3% from the field and 36.8% from deep.

The Heat play at the fourth-slowest pace in the NBA (

97.49

) and lead the league in personal fouls committed (

15.9

), relying on a top 10 defense (

110.9

) to keep them in games. Miami is selfless when it comes to scoring, dishing out 26 assists per contest (

14th

) with the No. 9 assist percentage (

66.0

). 

Herro

has taken his game to new heights in his sixth season as the alpha scorer in Miami. In 35.4 minutes a night, Herro is averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and 40.8% from 3. The counting stats and shooting percentages are all career highs, and his 24.3 points are good for 22nd in the league.