Nuggets Earn Win In NBA Finals Opener
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat, 104-93, at Ball Arena on Thursday in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals. The Nuggets are leading the series 1-0.
The long layoff didn’t affect the Nuggets in the first game of the 2023 NBA Finals, and Denver used a solid defensive effort to earn the lead in the series opener. The Nuggets grabbed the lead in the early stages and quickly secured a nine-point lead following the opening 12 minutes, securing a 29-20 advantage. The Nuggets didn’t step their foot off the gas and held a double-digit lead by the time halftime arrived following a 30-22 score in the second quarter. The Heat made adjustments in the second half, but Denver kept pushing their lead and also won the third quarter by a 25-21 score. Holding a 21-point lead with only 12 minutes left on the clock, the Nuggets got a bit loose, and the Heat took advantage of that. Miami won the final quarter by a 30-20 score, but that was not enough to mount a comeback. Game 2 will be played Sunday at Ball Arena.
Nikola Jokic opened the NBA Finals with a triple-double, recording 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. Jamal Murray had a double-double of 26 points and 10 assists, and Michael Porter Jr. also had a double-double after notching 14 points and 12 rebounds. Aaron Gordon delivered 16 points and six rebounds. Bruce Brown was solid off the bench, as he ended 10 points and five rebounds.
Bam Adebayo was the leading scorer for the Heat after notching 26 points, but he also added 13 rebounds and five assists. Jimmy Butler struggled from the field, going 6-for-14 from the field and finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Gabe Vincent posted 19 points and five assists. Haywood Highsmith impressed off the bench and recorded 18 points across 22 minutes. Kyle Lowry and 11 points.
The long layoff didn’t affect the Nuggets in the first game of the 2023 NBA Finals, and Denver used a solid defensive effort to earn the lead in the series opener. The Nuggets grabbed the lead in the early stages and quickly secured a nine-point lead following the opening 12 minutes, securing a 29-20 advantage. The Nuggets didn’t step their foot off the gas and held a double-digit lead by the time halftime arrived following a 30-22 score in the second quarter. The Heat made adjustments in the second half, but Denver kept pushing their lead and also won the third quarter by a 25-21 score. Holding a 21-point lead with only 12 minutes left on the clock, the Nuggets got a bit loose, and the Heat took advantage of that. Miami won the final quarter by a 30-20 score, but that was not enough to mount a comeback. Game 2 will be played Sunday at Ball Arena.
Nikola Jokic opened the NBA Finals with a triple-double, recording 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. Jamal Murray had a double-double of 26 points and 10 assists, and Michael Porter Jr. also had a double-double after notching 14 points and 12 rebounds. Aaron Gordon delivered 16 points and six rebounds. Bruce Brown was solid off the bench, as he ended 10 points and five rebounds.
Bam Adebayo was the leading scorer for the Heat after notching 26 points, but he also added 13 rebounds and five assists. Jimmy Butler struggled from the field, going 6-for-14 from the field and finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Gabe Vincent posted 19 points and five assists. Haywood Highsmith impressed off the bench and recorded 18 points across 22 minutes. Kyle Lowry and 11 points.