Denver-Miami 108-111 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, 1-1 in the series

Incredible Miami. In the most unexpected way, the Heat, down by 8 lengths at the beginning of the fourth period, tie the score in the series. The Florida team takes possession of a very strange game-2 posting a run of 15-2 at the beginning of the final quarter and wins 111-108. The 41 points of a Jokic at times absolutely unstoppable are not enough for the Nuggets, so Miami brings the series back to Florida at 1-1 and condemns Denver to its first home defeat of this postseason.

the match

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Coach Spoelstra fails to recover Herro but for game-2 he shuffles the cards and decides to include Kevin Love in the quintet. The centimeters of the former Cavs help and Miami gets off to a great start, also taking advantage of Denver’s mistakes in attack. Strus, back from 0/10 in the first match of the series, shows up without shyness and immediately goes on target with his first two triples, the Heat, meanwhile they reach 10-2. Jokic understands that he has to start producing and starts to load the Nuggets’ attack on his shoulders, but Miami plays well and gets the double-digit advantage. In the final minutes of the first quarter, however, the hosts find consistency in attack and get closer. The spark comes from a very active Braun whose energy becomes contagious. Denver closes the first quarter down by three lengths but with Jokic taking a breath on the bench it becomes devastating at the beginning of the second quarter. Brown, Braun and Green give an unexpected production to coach Malone, Miami becomes too predictable in attack and the Nuggets change gears.

twist and turn

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With the Serbian on the bench, Denver scores a 16-3 run at the start of the second period that changes the direction of the match. Miami sinks to -15, also because the defensive intensity of the Colorado team rises exponentially, but in one way or another it manages to stay in the wake thanks to the plays of an excellent Vincent and an alternating current Butler. However, Denver remains in control of the match and goes into the break ahead 57-51. As in game-1, Miami returns from the locker room with the right attitude, moves the ball well and with triples from Vincent and Love takes back the hosts. However, the problem for coach Spo is called Jokic. With the attack stuttering, Denver relies on the Mvp’s plays and the Serbian gives a show. Spoelstra tries everything to slow down Jokic but in the third quarter the Denver big man does what he wants. Butler continues to shoot with bad percentages, Vincent is not enough and with the baskets of a space Jokic (18 points in the third fraction), Denver extends arriving at the beginning of the last quarter leading by eight lengths. It seems like the prelude to a decisive acceleration by the Nuggets, however, Duncan Robinson suddenly lights up and with 10 points in just over two minutes brings the visiting team back in front.

the last quarter

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Miami once again in this postseason shows that it has character to spare and opens the final fraction with a 15-2 run that silences the Ball Arena. The inertia of the match changes radically with Denver struggling against the Heat zone and on the other side of the field he is no longer able to slow down Butler and his companions. The referees become very strict and start booing everything, so Miami goes in bonus already at 9’17” from the siren, and Denver goes haywire despite Jokic. The Heat gain confidence and run away, even reaching +12 with Martin’s triple with 3’39” to go. It seems like the sentence of a roller coaster match but Denver doesn’t raise the white flag and scares the away team with Murray’s triples. The Heat do not close it and Denver reaches -3 with the Canadian who, one second from the siren, tries the triple of the overtime, however, only finding the iron. Miami breathes a sigh of relief and goes 1-1 with game-3 scheduled in Florida on Wednesday.

Denver: Jokic 41 (14/23, 2/5, 7/8 tl), Murray 18, Gordon 12. Rebounds: Jokic 11. Assists: Murray 10.

You love me: Vincent 23 (4/6, 4/6, 3/3 tl), Adebayo 21, Butler 21. Rebounds: Love 10. Assists: Butler 9.