We end our week on the hardwood, as the Nuggets and Heat meet in Miami with Denver holding a 2-1 series lead. To us, the Nuggets look like the far superior team. While the Heat did step up after Game 1's loss, they have looked outmatched and have now dropped three straight at home. We lean toward Denver winning, which makes our choice simple for the prop market.

Jamal Murray has been pivotal in Denver wins

When the Nuggets have won lately, it's very likely that a big Jamal Murray game accompanied that result. Over the past six Denver victories, Murray is averaging 31.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game.

The guard is burying contested looks, finding easy shots and facilitating for his teammates, and we'd like that to continue here tonight. In this series, Murray has surpassed his points and rebound prop twice, and his assists prop in all three meetings.

The dimes are what really catch the eye. Murray has dished out 10 in all three NBA Finals games to go along with a clean 26 points per game average. The Heat have seemed unable to slow down Murray, something that Derrick White was able to take advantage of to a lesser degree last series.

White surpassed his Pts + Reb + Ast (PRA) prop in each of the final three games against the Heat, and it's there we like looking to Murray tonight.

Murray's PRA line is set at 39.5, a number he's hit in five of his last seven, 61% throughout this postseason, and in five of the last six Denver wins. Fresh off a 54-PRA outing, we're rolling with an encore performance from the secondary star on this Nuggets squad.

Betting: Jamal Murray over 39.5 Pts + Reb + Ast (-102 FanDuel)

In the news ...

Florida wins in OT to cut series deficit to a game — On the brink of going down 0-3, Matthew Tkachuk buried a tying goal with just 2:13 left, forcing overtime where Carter Verhaeghe would bury the game-winner shortly thereafter. Suddenly, we have ourselves a series in this Stanley Cup Final. Game 4 will be tomorrow in Florida, with the Panthers as slight favorites at -125. Vegas is -260 to win the series, and the Conn Smythe seems to be between Jonathan Marchessault (-110) if the Golden Knights win and Tkachuk (+350).

Belmont Stakes this weekend — The third jewel of the Triple Crown will be run on Saturday at Belmont Park, with a field of nine competing. Forte is the favorite at 5-2. You may remember Forte, he was the Kentucky Derby favorite before a bruised hoof forced him to be scratched. He seems likely to take it home as well. He's on a five-race win streak. A deserved favorite, ride with Forte on Saturday.

Vikings cut Dalvin Cook — After six seasons in Minnesota, four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook has been released. At 27, Cook was a cap casualty, and while the market may not be plentiful for a 27-year-old running back, he's sure to have plenty of suitors for his services. The early odds suggest Cook is likely to hit the AFC East. The Dolphins are the favorite to land the playmaker at +100, followed by the Jets (+250) and Bills (+550).

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll