NBA Finals Recap: Heat Defeat Nuggets in Game Two, Tie Series at 1-1

The Miami Heat defeated the Denver Nuggets 111-108 in game two of the 2023 NBA Finals.

Miami has now taken home-court advantage from Denver, and it’s important that the Heat win these next two games at home.

The Heat have found a way to minimize the impact of Nikola Jokic by limiting him to scoring the ball. If that continues, Miami can definitely win the championship. Here’s a quick recap of Miami’s win over Denver.

Role Players Come Up Big

Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson deserve a ton of credit for the win in this game. Vincent was the team’s leading scorer, and the Heat had five players in double figures. Unlike game one, the Heat got contributions from everyone in the lineup.

Erik Spoelstra chose to rely on the two-man game with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler in the fourth quarter, but it’s apparent that Miami is more effective with shooters in motion; that formula has to be used for the Heat to take the next two games at home. Both Adebayo and Butler scored 21 points.

Cody Zeller was dreadful when inserted in the game, so Adebayo might have to play more minutes in the rest of the games. Kyle Lowry also needs to play less for the Heat to have a chance.

Concluding Thoughts

Before the series, no one gave Miami a chance to get a win in Denver. While Butler was the superstar in the first two series, the Heat have been much more productive when everyone touches the basketball. Expect Spoelstra to switch up his schemes game-to-game so Miami can confuse Jokic, who scored 41 points.

The Denver Nuggets have the unanimous best player in the world in Jokic. Regardless, the Nuggets’ role players need to be limited even more and be forced to take contested shots. Making efforts to send Aaron Gordon to the free throw line and target Jamal Murray on defense are pivotal steps to creating momentum.

The Heat need to come out in game three with the same energy they had in the first quarter today. Both teams are bound to make runs, but Miami has shown they are up for the challenge and ready to fight back.