Heat, Nuggets To Collide In South Beach
The Miami Heat will host the Denver Nuggets in Game 3 of the 2022-23 NBA Finals at Kaseya Center on Wednesday. The series is tied 1-1.
The Heat stunned the Nuggets in Game 2 and stole a win from Ball Arena, meaning they only need to win their three games at home to become the new NBA champions. That’s easier said than done, however, as Miami lost two of three at home against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Plus, the Nuggets looked lackluster on defense in Game 2, and they’re not a team that’s known for delivering a lack of effort on a consistent basis. Miami needs Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo be at their best once again, but the contributions of the role players are proving to be pivotal once again. As for Denver, the Nuggets need more from Jamal Murray, because Nikola Jokic can’t do everything on his own despite putting up 41 points in Game 2 and a triple-double in the Finals opener. Whoever steps up and whichever team wants it more will likely move one step closer to lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
When analyzing the top performers in Game 2, Gabe Vincent led the Heat with 23 points, three assists and two steals, in 32 minutes. Bam Adebayo tallied 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Jimmy Butler finished with 21 points, four rebounds and nine assists. The Heat shot 48.7 percent from the field, including 17-of-35 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 41 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, in 42 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 18 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and a steal, while Aaron Gordon added 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block. The Nuggets shot 52 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from deep.
Tyler Herro (hand) has been listed as a game-time call for Game 3. Meanwhile, the Nuggets don’t have significant injuries ahead of Wednesday’s contest.
The Heat stunned the Nuggets in Game 2 and stole a win from Ball Arena, meaning they only need to win their three games at home to become the new NBA champions. That’s easier said than done, however, as Miami lost two of three at home against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Plus, the Nuggets looked lackluster on defense in Game 2, and they’re not a team that’s known for delivering a lack of effort on a consistent basis. Miami needs Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo be at their best once again, but the contributions of the role players are proving to be pivotal once again. As for Denver, the Nuggets need more from Jamal Murray, because Nikola Jokic can’t do everything on his own despite putting up 41 points in Game 2 and a triple-double in the Finals opener. Whoever steps up and whichever team wants it more will likely move one step closer to lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
When analyzing the top performers in Game 2, Gabe Vincent led the Heat with 23 points, three assists and two steals, in 32 minutes. Bam Adebayo tallied 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Jimmy Butler finished with 21 points, four rebounds and nine assists. The Heat shot 48.7 percent from the field, including 17-of-35 from long range.
Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 41 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, in 42 minutes. Jamal Murray followed up with 18 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and a steal, while Aaron Gordon added 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block. The Nuggets shot 52 percent from the field, including 11-of-28 from deep.
Tyler Herro (hand) has been listed as a game-time call for Game 3. Meanwhile, the Nuggets don’t have significant injuries ahead of Wednesday’s contest.