We wondered if Jimmy Butler (18 points), who officially served his suspension, was going back to court to receive the Nuggets. Finally, the Heat presented himself well on the floor with his player, who was even a starter for the occasion. Between boos and applause, the audience at the Kaseya Center hardly disturbed him.
The first half turns to the advantage of the Nuggets, who have around ten points in advance throughout (67-55). Between the ultra-versatility of Nikola Jokic, the energy of Russell Westbrook in the five and Aaron Gordon coming off the bench, but above all the aggressive scoring of Jamal Murray, the visitors' attack is running at full speed. The Heat, for their part, relies as often now on Tyler Herro, suffering in particular from his clumsiness at 3-points and an overly permissive defense.
Even if Jimmy Butler, more aggressive, tries to accelerate in the company of Nikola Jovic, the gap remains stable due, mainly, to the other Nikola, Jokic. Already in a triple-double, he doesn't force anything and lines up points and assists, making Bam Adebayo suffer as usual. Minute after minute, we understand that Miami will have difficulty coming back playing like this and a “run” from the Denver bench (DeAndre Jordan – Julian Strawther) at the start of the last act makes the difference because, behind, the twenty points is here and the 2023 champions achieve new success over… the 2023 finalists (133-113).
TO REMEMBER
– The great return of Jimmy Butler. After seven games and fifteen days of absence, due to his suspension for behavior “detrimental to the team”, Jimmy Butler played again and Erik Spoelstra kept him starting. Somewhat whistled but also applauded at his presentation then when he touched the ball or scored, the All-Star winger did not particularly try to take the game into his own hands, apart from his rise in temperature in the third quarter , which allowed his team to return to -10. Beyond that, nothing to report, even if we feel that the public wants to enjoy as much as possible the last moments of “Jimmy B” in Florida…
– Denver definitely loves Miami. Since the 2022/23 season, and obviously counting their series during the 2023 Finals, the Nuggets have won ten of their eleven games against the Heat. Clearly, Nikola Jokic's teammates know how to manage and hurt this Florida franchise which is always struggling with the offensive genius of the “Joker”, who punishes them with ease with scoring or passing. Add a Jamal Murray on the big nights, an effective supporting cast and a bench that brings good minutes, and you obtain an insoluble equation for Erik Spoelstra and his men, too irregular in shooting and undisciplined in defense.
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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.
