Miami Heat (25-28, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (37-18, second in the Western Conference)
Denver; Monday, 9 p.m. Eastern
BOTTOM LINE: Denver hosts Miami trying to extend its three-game home winning streak.
The Nuggets have gone 23-4 at home at the Pepsi Center. Denver is 35-13 in games when they score more than 100 points.
The Heat have gone 14-12 away from home. Miami ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 35 defensive rebounds per game, led by Hassan Whiteside averaging 8.8. The Nuggets won the last meeting between these two squads 103-99 on Jan. 8. Nikola Jokic led the way with 29 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jokic leads the Nuggets with 20.4 points and averages 10.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists. Malik Beasley has scored 17.5 points and collected 2.1 rebounds while shooting 49.6 percent over the last 10 games for Denver.
Whiteside leads the Heat averaging 13.1 points and is adding 12.5 rebounds. Dwyane Wade has averaged 4.7 assists and scored 12.8 points over the last 10 games for Miami.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 4-6, averaging 101.4 points, 45 rebounds, 23.5 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104 points on 45.7 percent shooting.
Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 115.2 points, 44.2 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.9 points on 46.9 percent shooting.
Nuggets Injuries: Gary Harris: out (groin), Michael Porter Jr.: out (back), Isaiah Thomas: out (hip), Paul Millsap: day to day (right ankle soreness).
Heat Injuries: Goran Dragic: out (knee), Derrick Jones Jr.: out (right knee bone bruises).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by HERO Sports, and data from Sportradar.
