Nuggets vs. Heat injury report, odds, spread: Jimmy Butler still in COVID protocols; Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, Avery Bradley questionable Wednesday
No Jimmy Butler again for the struggling Miami Heat on Wednesday. A few other key guys also may sit vs. Denver.
The Miami Heat lost just three total games in the Eastern Conference playoffs this past summer in the Orlando bubble, but the short-handed Heat enter Wednesday's matchup vs. the Denver Nuggets on a three-game skid and will for sure be without All-Star Jimmy Butler yet again with him in the COVID protocols. The team is listing Avery Bradley (protocols), Goran Dragic (left groin strain) and Tyler Herro (neck spasms) as questionable. The Nuggets are 5.5-point favorites on the William Hill Sportsbook NBA odds as they are quite healthy.
Butler, averaging 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists, is getting close to a return, but it will have to wait until at least Thursday vs. the visiting Los Angeles Clippers (who will be quite short-handed themselves). Wednesday opens a six-game homestand for the Heat.
Bradley (10.0 ppg) hasn't played since Jan. 9 but that he's questionable and not on the first injury report is potentially good news. Herro (17.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg) hasn't taken the court since Jan. 14 with his back troubles.
The Heat played well in Brooklyn for three quarters Monday night but then ran out of gas and lost 98-85 with so many guys out. Miami's 14 fourth-quarter points were a low for the team in any quarter this season. Dragic played in that one and had 21 points; he has been starting with Herro out. The Heat wanted to limit Dragic's minutes this season, but he has played at least 30 minutes in six straight games because of a lack of bodies.
In addition, reserves Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless are injured and won't play Wednesday. Coach Erik Spoelstra has had to use 11 starting lineups over the first 16 games. The last time the Heat (6-10) were four games under .500 was when they closed the 2018-19 season at 39-43 on April 10 in Brooklyn, the night that Dwyane Wade retired.
Denver (10-7) enters on a season-high four-game winning streak, the past three on the road and by only a combined 16 points. The Nuggets don't list anyone of note as even questionable Wednesday. We are assuming that Jamal Murray won't be suspended after being ejected vs. Dallas on Monday; he hit Tim Hardaway Jr. in the groin area and received a flagrant 2 foul.
Last season, Miami and Denver split. The Nuggets are 6-2 against the spread in their past eight in Miami.Â
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