Denver Continues Playoff Dominance

By Samori Benjamin

In their first ever NBA Finals game in franchise history the Denver Nuggets continued their dominance in these 2023 playoffs. They won going away over the Miami Heat 104-93 behind 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds for center Nikola Jokic and 26 points and ten assists from guard Jamal Murray. It marked just the third time in NBA history where a pair of teammates both recorded 20 points and 10 assists in a game. The Nuggets have now won their last seven games in these playoffs. 

Miami had an impressive run to get to the Finals as just the second #8 seed to make the championship round. But they only got 13 points from their money man Jimmy Butler in Game One and a combined 2-16 from three point range from three of their key snippers Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson. Miami also, only made it to the free throw line twice. The lowest in Finals history. Center Bam Adebayo had a team high 26 points and 13 rebounds. Miami got good performances from their point guards as starter Gabe Vincent made five of ten threes on 7 of 14 shooting overall for a total of 19 points.  While Kyle Lowry came off the bench to make three of six threes and shoot 50% overall from the field.

“The most important thing is to win a game,” Jokic said afterward. “I’m trying to win a game in any possible way.” Nuggets head coach Mike Malone talked about getting his team prepared for game 1. “I reminded our group, if they didn’t know, that Miami went into Milwaukee and won Game 1. They went into the Garden in New York City and won Game 1. They won Game 1 up in Boston. So, we did not want them coming in here taking control of the series on our court.”

The series continues next Sunday night. Miami head coach Eric Spoelstra knows the team needs to make adjustment. Said Spoelstra, “I think the disposition, the efforts were more appropriate in the second half, but that’s not enough. It has to be for a full game, and you also have to make some plays when you’re beat.”