The Heat trail in a series for the first time. How will they respond?
Miami won Game 1 in the previous three series.
Although a Miami Heat rally in the fourth quarter made the final score respectable, the Denver Nuggets controlled Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals. It’s the first time the Heat have trailed in a series this postseason.
And yes, many optimistic Heat fans have pointed out that Miami dropped Game 1 of the Finals in all three of their championship runs. (The Heat also dropped Game 1 of the 2014 and 2020 Finals and went on to bow out those years.)
We shouldn’t kid ourselves. Miami has a lot to clean up to get back in this series. Jimmy Butler started Game 1 hitting a pull-up jumper and then a 3-pointer early, but didn’t assert himself the rest of the game. When he was close to the basket, he often passed out — a big reason why the Heat only took two free throws the entire game, an NBA playoff record low.
Aaron Gordon found himself switched onto Gabe Vincent far too many times. Max Strus shot 0-for-9 from 3, despite many of his shots being open looks. Nikola Jokic sliced up the Heat defense with his passing. After coming close to winning the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, Caleb Martin never made an imprint on the game. And for some reason, Erik Spoelstra continues to play Tyler Zeller as Bam Adebayo’s backup.
It’s just one game; that’s the good news. The Heat and Nuggets will have more rest in the Finals than they did in the conference finals; Game 2 isn’t until tomorrow, and Game 3 is Wednesday. Butler hasn’t reached his herculean heights from the first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Who knows if that ankle roll in Game 1 of the second round is still limiting him? He needs to provide scoring punch for Miami, especially when the 3-point shots don’t fall.
Adebayo should continue using his athleticism against Jokic. Spoelstra should ensure Adebayo is on the court at all times Jokic is playing. And he should try out Kevin Love as the backup five. He at least can provide some shooting that the Nuggets will have to respect. As John Hollinger tweeted during Game 1, “Zeller is being guarded as if he’s radioactive.”
And Adrian Wojnarowski said that Tyler Herro was pushing for a return in Game 2. Though the Heat have made it to the Finals without him, Miami could’ve used his scoring several times — including Thursday night — during this playoff run.
Denver averages about 120 pts per game. Jokic and Murray between the two of them will give you 50 to 60. How does the rest of the team generate the rest? Below is how.
Mismatch, mismatch, mismatch is what Denver does a lot. If they don't switch on you they go to Jokic to find one. Spo has to find a way to neutralize Denver mismatches.
As I noted before game 1 which we saw them do in game 1, they drive often to the basket to put you in foul trouble. They get points off FTs, your defenders become a bit tentative being wary of calls and your offense becomes stagnant, if your star player(s) is/are in foul trouble.
And less we forget, Denver has the fastest transition offense this season.The Heat did a decent job on that in game 1, hope it is a trend they continue to lay emphasis on.
3 points from anyone not called Jokic or Murray is a bonus for the team. The Heat did a poor job defending those in game 1.
IMHO, the paragraphs above are the things Denver do to win games apart from the scoring prowess of Jokic and Murray. So let us not be distracted by Jokic and Murray and forget the other aspect of their game including their poor perimeter defense (their main weakness, which the Heat did not capitalize on by not making those open 3s).
Well, it seems any team doing all of the above is a well rounded team, sure they are and that is why they are the #1 NBA over all seed. Are they good? Yes, and very good at what they do to beat teams. Are they beatable, with an emphatic Yes !! But, you must do what is necessary to beat them.
Of course, you ain't winning if after all is done, you do not score. Knock down those open 3s, drive to the paint, hit your mid range jumpers, defend the 3s, get your due share of rebounds, go for the 50-50 balls and you have a decent chance to win game 2.
Do the Heat have what it takes to achieve victory? of course, they do and I look forward to them executing better in game 2. I can not wait.
Go Heat, Go !!!
Feel like Spo should force Jokic to be a scorer. Let him get his and prevent open looks from the rest of the guys.
Also gotta stop switching Gabe/Strus onto Porter and Gordon, as that’s just a guaranteed two.