Third game potentially already pivotal in these Finals, because historically, at 1-1 in the series, the victorious team of Game 3 then ended up winning the title… 80% of the time (32-8). Suffice to say that the Heat and the nuggets had no room for error, in what was the first meeting of this duel disputed in Florida lands…
In front of an audience of celebrities, and even under pressure outside, it is nevertheless denver who negotiated this game the best, in order to win easily at miami (109-94). On the one hand, thanks to a quality second half and, on the other hand, thanks to a tandem Nikola Jokic (32 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists) — Jamal Murray (34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in full swing and author of a performance as capital as it is historic.
With this success, which is both logical, controlled and authoritarian, the Nuggets are back in the lead in these Finals (2-1) and above all put the Heat up against the wall as Game 4 approaches (Friday evening), because the South Beach players will not have to miss themselves in front of their audience, just to not leave the Colorado franchise at 3-1 before returning to the Rockies…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Nikola Jokic & Jamal Murray on a walk. Superlatives are lacking to evoke Jokic who, once again, has boned an opponent, taught defenders a lesson and displayed all his class. At his side, Murray also had a very high quality match and, together, the two Nuggets players now form the first pair of teammates in history to achieve a 30+ point triple-double at the same meeting (regular season + playoffs), in addition to being the first pair of teammates in Finals history to score a triple-double on the same night. Simply historic, then.
— Denver has mastered its subject. Never led in a series during these playoffs, the Nuggets were expected in this Game 3 and we can say that they responded rather well, signing an authoritative performance to take control of these Finals. Returning from the locker room, Michael Malone’s men began to come off the scoreboard and from there the Heat could only see their superiority, both offensive and defensive, while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray , but also Christian Braun, were responsible for permanently registering the basket which hurt and calmed the room. Solidity.
— The blow of the breakdown for Miami. Limited to only 37% shooting success, the Heat players collectively were not able to really worry these Nuggets, given their offensive weakness and their lack of inspiration in this area. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo tried, as best they could, to hide Florida’s misery, he thus lacked a player (not to say several) capable of breaking the opposing lock and taking advantage of the spaces created by the Butler/Adebayo duo. Michael Malone struck and now it’s up to Erik Spoelstra to respond, making adjustments.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Christian Brown. Certainly THE X factor of this Game 3. Author of 15 points in 19 minutes off the bench (7/8 in shooting), the Nuggets rookie, like a veteran, played as if he felt no pressure and his energy, contagious, did a world of good to his team with each of his appearances. The main reason for the dominance of the Denver bench in this game and the kind of performance necessary to mask the failed performances of Michael Porter Jr. (2 points in 21 minutes, 1/7 to shoot) or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (6 points in 28 minutes, 0/3 to 3-points).
✅ Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo. All may not have been perfect on the part of the Heat leaders, especially in terms of skill and because they were plugged into AC, but given what their teammates have accomplished, we says it was better that Butler (28 points) and Adebayo (22 points, 17 rebounds) were there to limit the damage or even give Miami a tiny hope of winning Game 3…
⛔ Gabe Vincent & Max Strus. Dirty evening for the two “role players” of the Heat, who together accumulated 10 small points, to an ugly 3/17 in the shoot (including 2/10 at 3-points). Arguably the best embodiment of the Heat’s offensive struggles in this game, as Erik Spoelstra’s men constantly struggled to find reliable and viable solutions outside of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo…
THE FOLLOWING
Game 4still in Miami, on the night of Friday to Saturday (02:30).
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
