Denver Nuggets’ Triple-Doubles Lead to Historic Victory in Miami
The Denver Nuggets won Game 3 of the NBA Finals by a score of 109-94, dominating the series with their precise passing and rugged, hard-nosed play. Denver regained home-court advantage from Miami after giving it up in Game 2 thanks to 30-point triple-doubles from franchise cornerstones Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
With a 2-1 lead in the series, they can afford to be more ambitious in Game 4 on Friday. Most Heat supporters who departed with more than three minutes to go didn’t stick around to see Duncan Robinson hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final seconds.
Jokic, a two-time MVP, demolished the Heat’s defense for 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists after the Heat thought they had found a way to stop him. It was the kind of performance that may help build a name for oneself in history books; it was vicious and relentless. Jokic’s dominance in the paint helped the Nuggets outscore the Heat 60-34.
Murray remarked, “It speaks for itself, bro,” in reference to Jokic’s supremacy. “… We have nothing else to say.
His partner in the dance, Murray, scored 34 points himself and added 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Their insidious partnership was impossible to halt. They tore apart the Heat with their common basketball lingo and a seemingly infinite supply of counters. It was basketball poetry at its finest. They tied for the most 30-point triple-doubles by teammates in a single game in NBA history, regular season or postseason.
For the Nuggets, it was “by far their greatest performance as a duo,” as Michael Malone, their coach, put it.
Malone has claimed that he is never shocked by Jokic’s performance. Murray was particularly pleased with his performance in the third game after a rough second game.
“He’s reading the game well,” Jokic added, repeating his belief that Murray is a leader on the team.
Aaron Gordon remarked, “That’s greatness,” after witnessing the duo perform.
Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s quiet outings (2 and 6 points) didn’t matter. The Nuggets have responded and fixed their mistakes from Game 2. Their 58-33 advantage on the glass reflected their overall superiority.
Both Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo scored in double figures (both scored 22), but neither player was very effective.
The Nuggets were on the verge of a massive road victory after playing terrific two-way basketball throughout the third quarter. They primarily drove the ball inside, where their physical advantage allowed them to succeed. Even if the Nuggets missed the basket the first time, they were rewarded for their efforts at the second chance glass.
Jokic showed off his midrange touch and followed it up with a deep 3-pointer from the wing. Rookie Christian Braun’s constant motion, quick reads, and baseline cuts made him an instant asset. When given a chance, he ripped the ball and raced the opposite way for a slam. Denver’s bench helped boost the team’s confidence, and with time the lead grew to 19. Jokic scored 12 points while slicing up the Heat defense, allowing Denver to extend their lead to 82-68 heading into the final period.
Malone encircled his star guard, Murray, and encouraged him during a lull in Tuesday’s practice. Malone made a vague allusion to the conversation’s tone without revealing any specifics.
“He understands how important he is to this team,” Malone said of the player. He knows how much I value him as a person in addition to a player. Correction is only part of my job, though. My duties do not consist solely of praising the team when they perform well. Simply being there for them and lending whatever help I can is also a big part. I do this for not just Jamal Murray; everyone benefits. But, okay, we’ll keep that talk to ourselves.
After losing Game 2, Denver’s team regrouped with a meal at Jeff Green’s Miami house and an honest, no-holds-barred film session.
“And yesterday’s film session wasn’t an emotional film session,” Malone remarked. Nothing good will come of that. Everyone got a chance to share their thoughts throughout the productive film session. You never want to experience losing a home playoff game while performing as poorly as we did, but you have to turn adversity into motivation somehow, and this could serve as a wake-up call.
The Nuggets responded to the message by playing well in the first half. The Nuggets took a 53-48 advantage into halftime after holding the Heat to just 39% shooting thanks to their aggressive and swarming defense. Butler called Jokic and Murray Denver’s “two-headed snake,” they helped the Nuggets find their offensive groove again.
With 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists in the first half, Jokic struck a balance between aggressiveness and selflessness. He went on hunts for mismatches. He took advantage of them when he saw them in other places.
According to coach Erik Spoelstra, why it works regardless of the Heat’s offensive plan? “Jokic has so many tricks up his sleeve that he can easily manipulate your defense. No matter how challenging it may be, you must accept the existence of such rivals and find a means to triumph over them.”
Right off the bat, Murray took the initiative. After finding his rhythm from close range within the paint in the first quarter, he made three three-pointers in the second. Murray put the finishing touch on the game with one icy glance, killing the momentum just as the shot clock ran out. He scored 20 points to lead Denver’s offense.
The Nuggets’ ability to take the lead with little assistance from the rest of Denver’s starters put more strain on the team’s two veterans.
