The Denver Nuggets pulled themselves away with a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Miami Heat, 108-95, as they take Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Friday.
Denver walloped Miami emphatically in front of the stunned Kaseya Center for their second-straight road game, as they are now one win away from capturing their first-ever NBA title.
The Nuggets repeated their successful habits all season long of utilizing a balanced attack, as five players are in double-digit scoring with three going off for 20+ points. Nikola Jokic feasted on both sides of the floor with 23 points, 12 boards, four assists, three steals, and three blocks. Aaron Gordon emerged as the team’s leading scorer with 27 points to go with seven boards and six assists. Meanwhile, bench spark plug Bruce Brown came up big with his 21 markers and four boards.
Jamal Murray contributed 15 points with his 12 huge assists, while Michael Porter Jr. churned out 11.
Denver ascended successfully to scorch in offense and apply that cold defensive touch against Miami. They shot 50 percent from three-point land (14-28) and just limited the home team to a lowly 32 percent mark (8-25) on the other hand. The Nuggets snatched the ball 11 times and forced the Heat to bleed from 15 turnovers.
Jimmy Butler did all he can but the Heat came up short on another painful loss, as he finished with 25 points, seven boards, and seven assists. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 11 boards in the losing effort.
After carving their names on the history books from their three previous rounds riding in an epic Cinderella run story, the eighth-seeded Heat now find themselves clinging to the ropes and on the verge of coming up short once again in the championship stage. In the entire NBA Finals history, only LeBron James and the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2016 have managed to surpass a gigantic 3-1 lead and went on to win the title out of 36 different scenarios (35-1).
Monday’s Game 5 will determine if the Heat will still be able to continue their historic journey, or if the Nuggets will finally dispatch them to seal their maiden title for the first time in franchise history.
