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While the Pelicans dominated the Sixers, the Nuggets struggled to get rid of the Heat as Nikola Jokic’s teammates waited until the very end of the game to make the difference. Alongside a Nikola Jokic in a triple-double and a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 100% on shots, it was Jamal Murray who snatched the victory by scoring half of his points in the last two minutes (124-119 ).
After an awful first quarter, the Heat had taken control early in the second half thanks to a great Tyler Herro. Almost complete, Miami unfolds its basketball to sign a 9-0 while Denver remains three minutes without scoring a single point. Ball losses are multiplying on the Nuggets side, and the Heat are up to nine points ahead. And then, Murray sends DeAndre Jordan to the alley-oop, Nikola Jokic comes back into play, and Denver finds colors.
On the same action, Jokic went on to rebound and assist to validate his 84th career triple-double, and the Nuggets returned to -3 (102-99). There are seven minutes left to play, and Erik Spoelstra sends all his starters on the field. This has no effect, and Denver signs a 6-0 punctuated by a dunk from Michael Porter Jr. to take control (105-104).
Tyler Herro pulls out the big game, and almost alone, he responds to the Nuggets. We respond tit-au-tac, with very little waste, and after a flagrant foul whistled at KCP, Herro scored three shots. It is 8 points in a row, and especially Miami takes control (117-115). Moment chosen by Murray to take the game on his own. A first 3-point on a good shift from Jokic, then throws, and finally a floater on a pick-and-roll with this same Jokic. In 55 seconds, Murray has just knocked out the Heat (122-117). Herro’s teammates will not recover, and the Nuggets sign their 9th victory in eleven games to stay in contact with the Pelicans.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
Franchise record. With three additional 3-pointers, Duncan Robinson reached a career-high 807 career shots for the Heat. That’s one more than Tim Hardaway, who held the Miami franchise record.
The other series of Nikola Jokic. It’s a streak that goes under the radar, but Nikola Jokic isn’t just a triple-double machine. He is also a skilful player, who plays fair, and tonight, the reigning double MVP signs his 26th game in a row with an address at 50% or more.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. 20 points at 7 of 7 on shots! KCP finished as the Nuggets’ leading scorer, and he did his best on defense against Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. He did not flinch when putting the two throws twelve seconds from the end.
✅ Nikola Jokic. It will be difficult to prevent him from winning a third MVP title in a row. He takes things in hand when the team needs him, but he also knows how to step back when a teammate has a hot hand. His management of “money time” is remarkable.
✅ ⛔ Jamal Murray. An average match, even missed, until this heat stroke in the “money time”. The Canadian has lost none of his qualities as a “clutch player”.
✅ Tyler Hero. He’s the Heat’s best player this season, and he proved it again tonight. He behaves like a leader and he is more complete, and his teammates no longer hesitate to give him the ball in hot moments.
⛔Kyle Lowry. A game without for the leader of the Heat, who takes a technique that is expensive five minutes from the end.
THE FOLLOWING
Denver (23-12) : reception of the Celtics on Sunday evening.
Miami (18-18) : Continuation of the “road trip” to the West with a trip this evening to Utah.
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