Posted on 2/12/2008 2:48:53 PM

NBA Basketball Free Picks –Nuggets Hope To Keep Heat Cold At Home

By Eric Williams

The Denver Nuggets, (31-19 SU, 27-23 ATS, 26-24 O/U) have been fighting against themselves nearly all season while trying to find the consistency that would put them among the elite teams in the powerful western conference – and they are in the midst of doing just that, winning seven of their last ten and five of six coming into this contest, including an emphatic 113-83 road blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

Gifted forward Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field against the Cavaliers and good friend LeBron James, whom he’s beaten five consecutive times as a pro.

"I know (James) hates losing to me," said Anthony, averaging 31.6 points and 9.0 rebounds on 55.7 percent shooting from the field in five February games.

Now, Anthony will take his act to South Florida for a meeting with the Miami Heat, (9-41 SU, 17-32-1 ATS, 25-23-2 O/U), losers of seven straight and 22 of their last 23 games, including a 104-94 loss to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

Despite acquiring Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks from the Phoenix Suns for aging center Shaquille O’Neal, the Heat took another dismal loss as Marion scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Banks had seven points and four assists.

"We showed good things and there were times that you could tell everyone was comfortable with everyone at the same time," said Marion, who added three steals and three blocked shots. "We left it all on the floor. That's all you can ask. I think we just ran out of gas at the end there, and that's what we have to build on."

Here is a look at some key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks.

The Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last five when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Nuggets are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games playing on one days rest.

The Heat are 11-27-2 ATS in their last 40 games following a ATS loss.

The Heat are 17-42-2 ATS in their last 61 games overall.

The Over is 4-1 in Nuggets last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.

The Under is 5-1 in Heat last six when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.

The Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.

Analysis: Get real people. There is absolutely no way the Heat cover this spread against the Nuggets, who should have thoroughly run them off the court by the time the third quarter rolls around.

NBA Free Picks: Denver – 6½ Points/Under 209½ Total Points

07:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds

Denver Nuggets -6½ -110

Miami Heat +6½ -110

Over 209½ -110

Under 209½ -110

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