In full swing at the moment, the Nuggets continue their momentum against the Heat. Their defense limits Miami to 38% on shots in the first quarter while the trio Jamal Murray – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (18 points) – Michael Porter Jr. made 6/8 at 3-points to put them at +16 (36 -20)!
Erik Spoelstra's men, however, got back on track thanks to their defense. Bam Adebayo (22 points, 8 rebounds) and the Heat do a great job on Nikola Jokic (18 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists), who returns to the locker room at 2/8 on shots and only 3 assists. Michael Porter Jr. limits the damage for the Nuggets but 16 points from the Terry Rozier – Duncan Robinson duo bring Miami back to -5 at halftime (56-51).
Despite Jamal Murray's injury exit at the end of the first half, the Nuggets retained control of the match. While Jimmy Butler (21 points) and Bam Adebayo reduce the gap to one possession (65-63), the Nuggets respond by taking out the barbed wire. As in the last NBA Finals, the Heat are unable to find rhythm and their clumsiness allows Michael Porter Jr (30 points, 11 rebounds), still hot, to launch an 18-7 which puts Denver back at +13 (83- 70).
Aaron Gordon (16 points, 9 rebounds) again pushes the gap to 16 lengths but the Miami defense, Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier (19 points) do not admit defeat.
They bring Miami back to -7 with less than four minutes to play, then -4 with a minute to play (97-93)! An offensive foul from Jokic then allows Butler to bring the Heat back to two points with ten seconds to play but the Nuggets do not tremble on the throwing line to win their fifth game in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Michael Porter Jr. shines. This night, with a half-hearted Nikola Jokic and a Jamal Murray limited to 14 minutes of play, the Denver winger took his responsibilities. He scored his 30 points in the first three quarters, including 12 in the third quarter to fend off Miami's comeback.
– The Heat found the solution a quarter too late. Limited to 70 points after three quarters, Miami finally decided to attack advantageous duels by forcing “switches” or abusing pick & roll between Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Terry Rozier was also seen looking good, despite a knee that still looks sore. The Heat picked him up in Charlotte to play the role of second or third creator behind Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. He showed last night that he was cut out for this role. Unfortunately for Miami, they narrowly missed their heist attempt.
– Bad luck for Jamal Murray. While he was gaining momentum in recent weeks, the Nuggets leader severely twisted his right ankle two minutes from the end of the first half after a drive towards the basketball which ended in an assist for Nikola Jokic. Jamal Murray will not return to play and we hope that his absence will not be too long for a Denver team in full swing since the All-Star Game. The leader had already missed almost the entire month of November.
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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.
