Two weeks after the first reunion, the Nuggets and the Heat had another meeting for the remake of the 2023 Finals. The reigning champions took this meeting in the right direction, with Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray striking from afar. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope steals balls and makes easy baskets on the counter-attack and Denver quickly takes control against a team struggling offensively (19-26).
Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler shake up the Nuggets a little at the end of the first period, but it remains light (44-50). The Heat pivot insisted in the third quarter, assisted by Duncan Robinson, while Michael Malone's players lowered their tone. The gap no longer exists before the final straight (71-72).
But they picked up speed in the last quarter by stringing together baskets, notably with Reggie Jackson and Christian Braun. The Heat's defense had no solution, the attack even less and the Floridians, dominated from start to finish, logically lost 88-100.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Heat's limited offense. To dominate the Nuggets, you have to have a good night. This was not the case for Miami, like Jimmy Butler, author of 15 points at 6/16 shooting. He and his teammates missed too many shots near the rim. And the 3-point address was also mediocre, with a small 5/21 in the exercise.
– Accelerator shots for the champion. Nikola Jokic, his 12 points show it well, and his team did not have to force their talent to win. They took control of the game in the first quarter, then managed the reactions of the 2023 finalist, before accelerating again in the last act with a superb 12/18 shooting. A controlled encounter, quite simply.
– Denver in first place in the West. With this 4th consecutive victory, the Nuggets (46 wins – 20 losses) overtake the Thunder and the Wolves to place themselves in first place in the West.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
