Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Prediction: Combined starting 5 featuring Nikola Jokic and Bam Adebayo

Small Forward - Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Nuggets)

Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings.

Michael Porter Jr. had a great start to the 2020-21 NBA season with the Denver Nuggets. However, after just four games in which he averaged 19 points per night, he was sidelined due to the NBA's health and safety protocols.

MPJ missed 10 games after being in the starting lineup in the first four matches. He then returned and took a spot on the Denver Nuggets' bench.

Still, his production has been great, and the Nuggets have won each of their three games since his return.

In the previous game against the Dallas Mavericks, Porter Jr. put up 30 points and eight rebounds off the bench. For the entire season, he is averaging 18 points per game with 55/48/86 shooting splits.

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Power Forward - Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat passes away from Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors.

The Miami Heat's best player in the 2020-21 NBA season has been 23-year-old Bam Adebayo. He is a versatile big man who can put up big numbers across the stat sheet.

In the early stages of the 2020-21 NBA season, he is leading the team in points per game (20.7), rebounds per game (9.0), and assists per game (5.4).

In this matchup against the Denver Nuggets, Adebayo will face another versatile big man, Nikola Jokic.

In the recent two-game series that the Miami Heat played against the Brooklyn Nets between January 23rd and January 25th, Adebayo averaged 29.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and seven assists per game.

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Center - Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets takes a shot against Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks.

The 2020-21 NBA season recently completed its first month, and there's still a long way to go.

However, Serbian center Nikola Jokic is already being tipped as a strong contender for the NBA Most Valuable Player award.

Jokic is, in essence, the Denver Nuggets' point guard. The big man is averaging 25 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists per game so far. Among NBA players, he ranks fifth in total rebounds and second in total assists.

Jokic also has five Triple-Doubles this year and ranks second in Player Efficiency Rating, with a score of 30.7. He leads the NBA in Win Shares, Box Plus/Minus, and Value over Replacement.

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