Preview: Nuggets, Heat Set for Showdown in Miami MIAMI (Interstat) — The Denver Nuggets, riding a wave of historic individual performances, visit the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on Monday night in a cross-conference matchup. The Nuggets (22-8) enter with the league’s second-best record and are coming off a thrilling 142-138 overtime victory over Minnesota on Christmas. Their success is fueled by the otherworldly play of two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is averaging a triple-double for the season. In his last 10 games, Jokic has posted six triple-doubles, including a 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist masterpiece against the Timberwolves. Over that stretch, he is averaging 32.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 11.0 assists. Denver has won eight of its last 10 games, with its offense consistently topping 130 points. Jamal Murray remains a potent co-star, scoring 35 points with 10 assists in the Christmas Day win. The Heat (16-15) look to build momentum after snapping a four-game skid with a 126-111 road win in Atlanta on Friday. Guard Norman Powell led the way with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Powell has been a consistent scoring threat, averaging 22.4 points over his last 10 contests. Rookie center Kel’el Ware, coming off a 16-point, 13-rebound performance, provides an intriguing interior challenge for Jokic. Miami’s defense, a staple of the franchise, will be tested by Denver’s top-ranked offense. The Heat have struggled recently, losing seven of their last 10 games overall. In the season’s first meeting on Nov. 5 in Denver, the Nuggets secured a 122-112 victory. Jokic dominated with 31 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. The game kicks off a challenging three-game road trip for Denver, which visits Toronto next on New Year’s Eve. Miami begins a six-game homestand, its longest of the season, before hitting the road again in early January. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.