GAME PREVIEW: Heat seek split in Denver against Nuggets in Game 2 of 2023 NBA Finals
Tip-off for Game 2 will be at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC!
The Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets meet in Game 2 of the NBA Finals Sunday inside Ball Arena at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Nuggets, on nine days rest, took the series opener 104-93, their seventh straight playoff victory and seventh straight win over the Heat. It marked the first time Miami’s trailed in a series these playoffs.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, despite only taking 12 shots. Jamal Murray tallied 26 points on 11-of-22 shooting with 10 assists; Aaron Gorfon had 16 points with six boards on 7-of-10 shooting; MIchael Porton recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double in 43 minutes.
The Heat, who only 40.6 percent, were led by Bam Adebayo, their only 20-point scorer. He had 26 points on 13-of-25 shooting, in addition to 13 rebounds and five assists.
Though Miami didn’t get much production outside of their role players other than Gabe Vincent (19 PTS) and Haywood Highsmith (18 PTS), which has been key to their historic run.
Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin went a combined 2-of-23 from the floor, including 2-of-16 from 3-point range. It didn’t help that Miami also shot only two free throws (compared to the Nuggets’ 20), the fewest in NBA Playoff history.
In games with a free throw disparity of 18 or greater, the teams on the worse end of the stick are 8-31. A lot of how Miami played stacked up in their 11-point loss, but they look to bounce back a seek the series split Sunday.
Can they do it, despite Denver being unbeaten at home this postseason? Let us know in the comments!
INACTIVE/INJURIES:
MIAMI:
Tyler Herro (hand) — OUT
Caleb Martin (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
Victor Oladipo (knee) — OUT
Cody Zeller (foot) — PROBABLE
DENVER:
None.
PROJECTED STARTING 5 (at time of publishing):
MIAMI:
Gabe Vincent
Max Strus
Jimmy Butler
Caleb Martin
Bam Adebayo
DENVER:
Jamal Murray
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Michael Porter Jr.
Aaron Gordon
Nikola Jokic
Betting Odds:
Heat are 8.5-point underdogs
Moneyline: Nuggets -370/Heat +295
O/U: 216
Odds courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook.
BROADCAST INFO:
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. EST
TV: ABC
RADIO: WQAM 560 & The HEAT Radio Network
SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
As a Lakers fan, Rooting so hard for you guys to beat Denver. Two free throws-I had to read that again as I was sure it was a typo, TWO. Hilarious that when we got more free throws than the Nuggets in regular season, it was non stop bitching from Nuggs fans that the Lakers are favored by the League. But when the Heat get two free throws, it’s that “no one can stop the Nuggets”. Bunch a crybabies. Please take this series.
Realizing that Miami is just one win last 5 games. That needs to change. Cross fingers. Lets see some Heat culture at work and I bet alpha dog Jimmy will go to work this time. Got to go home 1-1.