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Nikola Jokic continues his monster season as the Denver Nuggets take Game 1 of the Finals against the Miami Heat.
The Denver Nuggets made a statement early on Friday, June 2, 2023, with a 104-93 victory over the Miami Heat.
Jamal Murray scored 26 points and handed out 10 assists, while Nikola Jokic finished off another triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists.
While Jokic eventually ended up leading the way, the Nuggets were able to win the first game of the series without having to rely significantly on him thanks to Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon.
With his fourth triple-double of the playoffs, Jokic finished 8 of 12 from the floor after taking only five shots during the first three quarters, extending his NBA single-year record.
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Denver, the top seed in the Western Conference, improved to 9-0 at home in the playoffs by shooting 59.5 percent from the field in the first half and 50.6 percent overall.
Jimmy Butler was limited to 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting, while Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 26 points and 13 rebounds.
For the first time in four attempts, the Eastern Conference's eighth-seeded team lost the series opener on the road.
The Heat shot 37.5 percent in the first half and 40.6 percent for the whole game, with Gabe Vincent scoring 19 points and Haywood Highsmith contributing 18.
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The Miami Heat had the opportunities, but they were unable to take advantage of them, which cost them dearly.
With Max Strus going 0 for 10 and Duncan Robinson going 1 for 6, the Heat were far from having a shooting clinic.
The impact of playing at an altitude in the Mile High City might have been to blame, but occasionally shots just don't fall.
On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the Nuggets will host Game 2, and the Heat will now try to get back on track.
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