The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 103-97 in what was an NBA Finals rematch from last season.
Though the Nuggets were coming off of the second night of a back-to-back and the Heat were without Tyler Herro, the game was incredibly intense with both teams battling hard. The game was physical throughout, and the Nuggets ultimately won that physical battle with how they defended possession to possession.
Michael Malone: “Tonight was a playoff game.”
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) March 1, 2024
“Whenever he takes a shot, I think it’s going in,” Nikola Jokic shared of Michael Porter Jr. “Whenever he’s shooting, I’m happy with it.”
Jamal Murray can’t catch a break 🙏🏾
pic.twitter.com/iWS1156TgL— Lucro 💫 (@lucrodontmiss) March 1, 2024
Fortunately, Porter was more than happy to help in that regard, picking up the scoring slack left behind by Murray and scoring 30 points in three quarters of action. Porter’s shotmaking was excellent, hitting threes, layups, floaters, and stepback jumpers in a moment when Denver needed tough shotmaking desperately.
The World has no idea just how good Michael Porter Jr. actually is because he’s sacrificed to be an elite 3rd option.
— Swipa (@SwipaCam) March 1, 2024
“It was a tough back-to-back for us. They play with a lot of speed and poise on both ends of the floor. They’re really aggressive…they know what they’re doing and it’s hard to play against that team,” Nikola Jokic shared postgame.
Jokic had a relatively down game, shooting 6-of-15 from the field and struggling to get shots and passes off at times against the Heat defense. Bam Adebayo (and Orlando Robinson to a lesser extent) were great defensively against him and made him work for everything. Jokic had to settle for jumpers on several occasions, and the jump shot just wasnt’ going down for Jokic tonight.
“I really like his game,” Jokic said of Bam Adebayo, who defended Jokic most of the evening. “I think he’s really effective in everything that he does. He can guard 1 through 5. He’s the glue guy and the guy that is leading them. It’s always a pleasure to battle against him.”
Ultimately though, Jokic pushed through and made a clutch basket when it mattered. That’s just what he does, getting to the hook shot over his left shoulder and hitting it no matter what the defense throws his way.
The Nuggets cared about this game a lot. They’re rolling right now, and it’s good to see Denver find an extra gear defensively when the offense is difficult to come by. Every Nugget found ways to contribute tonight defensively, and the Nuggets needed everybody, especially with Murray going down.
“Great teams find a way,” Malone shared about Denver’s adaptability. “It speaks to us being a really experienced and talented team that can win lots of different ways.”
The Nuggets will take a five-game winning streak into the weekend and face the Los Angeles Lakers in LA on Saturday Night. Take a look at the Watch Party Mile High Sports and Denver Stiffs are putting together and RSVP HERE!
Final Rotations
