HHH GameTime Preview: Denver Hosts Heat

Tonight at 9PM, the Miami Heat will tipoff against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver, CO. This game is the first of two this season between the Nuggets and the Heat, with the rematch on March 14th back in Miami.

Miami is in the fifth game of a six-game road trip. They started out with a 103-95 win over the Phoenix Suns last Friday, then lost three straight to the Utah Jazz, 98-83 on Saturday, 111-103 to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, and 104-90 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. They'll finish up with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday before returning home.

The Nuggets are in the third game of an eight-game homestand. They started it out with two victories, 95-92 against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday and 112-110 against the Warriors on Wednesday. They'll host the Indiana Pacers, the Thunder, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Detroit Pistons, and the Atlanta Hawks before hitting the road again.

The last time Miami played Denver was March 20th last season in Miami. The 31-36 Heat defeated the 26-43 Nuggets 108-91 behind 22 points and four helpers from Dwyane Wade. Goran Dragic had 19 with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, and Hassan Whiteside had 14 points with 10 boards and two blocked shots. "Manimal" Kenneth Faried led Denver with 20 points on 10-of-15 shooting, with six rebounds and four steals.

I'm proud of the way that this organization hasn't quit. I'm proud of the way that this team hasn't quit. And we're giving ourselves a chance. That's all we can ask for. - Wade

Denver Stiffs has more on the Nuggets.

Miami's last game would see them lose to the Clippers, 104-90 on Wednesday night. Cole Aldrich led Los Angeles with 19 points and seven rebounds, and Chris Paul had 15 with 12 helpers and four steals in the win. Gerald Green was the only Miami player in the Five Stars, coming in with the fourth by scoring 19 points for the Heat off the bench.

I was trying to make things happen, but I had too many turnovers. I was just trying to be aggressive, especially in transition. We had some opportunities, but they did a good job of getting back, gambling at certain times, and we did some lazy passing. - Wade

A Clippers point of view and a cup of coffee can be had at Clips Nation.

Denver's last game was a surprise 112-110 win over NBA leading Golden State on Wednesday night. Danilo Galinari scored 28 points with five rebounds, Will Barton had 21 and six, Jameer Nelson had nine helpers, and Darrell Arthur had 18 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Stephen Curry watched his team taste defeat for only the third time this season despite 38 points, nine assists and five boards.

It was a great opportunity to try to tie the game or take the lead. Got stuck between looking for the open man and handling the ball, and one little mishandle and Gallinari got it. - Curry

Click here for a Golden State of Mind.

GameTime: 9PM

Line: Miami by minus-3

All-Time Head to Head: Miami is 29-27 all time against Denver.

Standings

Miami Heat: 22-17, .564, on pace for 46-36. Second in the Southeast Division, tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference, tied for ninth in the NBA. Last Five: W-W-L-L-L. Playoff Odds: 72.5%

Denver Nuggets: 15-24, .385, on pace for 32-52. Fourth in the Northwest Division, 11th in the Western Conference, 24th in the NBA. Last Five: L-W-L-W-W. Playoff Odds: 6.1%

Injury Report

Miami Heat

Player	Date	Type	Note
Chris Andersen	2016-01-14	Knee	Andersen will not play against the Nuggets on Friday due to a sore left knee.
Goran Dragic	2016-01-13	Calf	Dragic was diagnosed with a Grade 1 calf strain and will be re-evaluated next week.
Josh McRoberts	2015-12-11	Knee	McRoberts has a knee injury and will miss an extended period of time.

Denver Nuggets

Player	Date	Type	Note
Wilson Chandler	2015-10-23	Hip	Chandler has undergone season-ending hip surgery.
J.J. Hickson	2016-01-13	Teeth	Hickson missed the last game after recovering from a root canal and is questionable to play Friday against the Heat.
Jusuf Nurkic	2016-01-14	Ankle	Nurkic left the last game due to a sprained ankle and will have an MRI to evaluate the extent of the injury. He will sit out Friday against the Heat.

Milestones

With three assists, Chris Bosh will tie Alonzo Mourning in 19th all-time, with 651.

Udonis Haslem will move into ninth all-time with his next block, passing Eddie Jones with his 247th.

Probable Starting Lineups

Miami Heat

PG - Beno Udrih
SG - Dwyane Wade
C - Hassan Whiteside (game-time decision)
SF - Justise Winslow
PF - Luol Deng

Denver Nuggets

PG - Jameer Nelson
SG - Gary Harris
C - Nikola Jokic
SF - Danilo Galinari
PF - Kenneth Faried

Keep it glued here at HHH for all your Heat news. Check back in for the GameThread, live at gametime tonight.