NBA results – Final game-1: Denver-Miami 104-93

The long rest does not slow down the Nuggets who play lady basketball for most of game-1, dominate the Heat and thus win the first match of the 2023 Finals. The usual Jokic scores yet another triple-double of this postseason (27 points , 10 rebounds and 14 assists), Murray makes the Murray (26 points) and Denver travels fast, beating Miami 104-93.

The match

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Denver immediately makes it clear that he knows how to read mismatches like few teams in the NBA and puts Gordon in a position to dominate in the first few minutes. The former Magic uses his inches and physicality to punish changes of marking from the defenses of Miami, scoring 12 points in less than eight minutes. Jokic is the conductor and puts the rhythm in teammates without looking for a personal solution, on the other hand Miami is struggling a lot from the perimeter. The baskets of the couple Gordon-Murray allow the home team to take over the reins of the match already in the first quarter. Adebayo warms up, and it’s good news for coach Spo, but Strus and Martin, two of the heroes of the series against Boston, argue with the basket. The flashes of an alternating current Butler are not enough, in attack Denver makes the ball travel which is a pleasure even against the zone and always finds excellent shots.

The key

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Miami, on the other hand, can’t find rhythm from long range. Adebayo’s movements in the painted area keep the Florida team in the wake but an acceleration by Denver at the end of the second quarter is enough to push Butler and his companions away. Jokic took just three shots in the first half but went into the locker room at halftime with a double-double, 10 points and 10 assists. In the meantime, the Nuggets take off and at the end of a dominated first half they are ahead by 17 lengths, 59-42. Impossible for these Heat to keep pace with Denver shooting with 4/17 from long range, and the result at halftime is the perfect photograph of the match. The 0/12 of the Strus-Martin couple then becomes a boulder for coach Spo’s troop. The departure of the Heat at the beginning of the second half is encouraging. With seven consecutive points Miami puts some pressure on the Nuggets but Murray has other plans and with his baskets he pushes back the visiting team. An unrecognizable Strus (in the end 0/10 from the field) compared to what has been seen in this postseason just can’t get back on track, Miami also fails excellent long-range shots, making it all too easy for Denver to stretch.

I stretch it

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Jokic’s usual triple at the end of the 24-second clock brings the Nuggets back to +16, the production of an excellent Brown in the final minutes of the third quarter then they put Miami with their backs to the wall. The Colorado team reaches +21 at the end of the third period. Just like at the beginning of the second half, even in the first minutes of the final fraction Miami tries to scare Denver. The decrease in intensity at the defensive level of the hosts allows the Heat to score the first 11 points of the fourth period, however the Nuggets immediately respond with a 6-0 that rekindles the Ball Arena crowd and brings Coach Malone’s team back from a distance safety. Miami tries to complicate life for the Nuggets, but every time Denver needs a basket Jokic responds present and the result is never in question. The home team thus goes on to win easily, Miami will now have to change register on Monday night in game-2.

Denver: Jokic 27 (7/10, 1/2, 10/12 tl), Murray 26, Gordon 16. Rebounds: Porter Jr. 13. Assists: Jokic 14.

You love me:Adebayo 26 (13/24, 0/1), Vincent 19, Highsmith 18. Rebounds: Adebayo 13. Assists: Butler 7.