#DENVER NUGGETS RECORD 2016 SERIES#

Heat: It was the first Finals game in Miami since 2014. Jokic played in both of those games, Murray in the second one early in his rookie season. … Denver hadn’t lost two consecutive games to Miami since March 14 and Nov. Nuggets: Denver used Reggie Jackson in the first quarter, going nine deep in the opening 12 minutes for the first time since Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. The Nuggets now have the lead again, and there was no Game 2 hangover on Wednesday. The Heat stole home-court advantage by winning Game 2 in Denver, a game when Murray had a chance to force overtime with a 3-point try that missed at the end. It was 53-48 at halftime, before Denver pushed the lead to double digits for the first time early in the third and wound up leading by as many as 19 later in that period. A dunk by Adebayo put the Heat up 44-42 with 3:18 left in the half, before a 3-pointer by Murray represented the seventh and final lead change of the night. “That’s a dynamic duo right there.”Īdded Braun: “I would say that it’s what they do every game.” Aaron Gordon added 11 for Denver.Īnd afterward, they both marveled at what their stars did in Game 3. “We were more locked in, more focused,” Jokic said.Ĭhristian Braun was tremendous off the bench for the Nuggets, scoring 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting in 19 minutes. He finished 12 for 21 from the floor and 7 for 8 from the free-throw line, playing 44 minutes.

#DENVER NUGGETS RECORD 2016 SERIES#

It was Jokic’s 10th triple-double of these playoffs (he also had one in the series opener), extending his single-season record, and he was unbothered by whatever Miami threw his way.

Draymond Green, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird and Butler all had one title series with two triple-doubles. Magic Johnson and LeBron James each did it in three different Finals.

Officially, Jokic is now the seventh player to have two triple-doubles in the same Finals. “And both those guys are elite-level talent.” “You have to expect there to be elite talent in the Finals,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Murray and Jokic had the Nuggets too far ahead to get caught. The Heat got within nine on a 3-pointer by Duncan Robinson with 1:22 left, but there was no epic finish for Miami. The lead eventually reached 21, the outcome never seriously in doubt, and Jokic looked very much like he’s back in cruise control. “Tonight, we win the fourth quarter, we win the game.” “First two games, they won the fourth quarter,” Malone said. Miami was down by 14 going into the fourth, and Malone reminded his club of the Heat’s penchant for comebacks. The Heat have been the comeback kings of these playoffs – seven rallies in games after trailing by at least 12 points. “But if we want to win, we’re going to have to figure it out.” “It’s not an easy task to do,” Butler said. Somehow, some way, the Heat know they need to find an answer before Friday. Jokic and Murray combined for 20 assists Miami had exactly that many. Jokic and Murray combined for 31 rebounds Miami had 33. Jokic and Murray combined for 24 field goals Miami had 34. “We’ve got to come out with more energy and effort and that’s correctable,” Butler said. Jimmy Butler scored 28 points for Miami, and Bam Adebayo finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds. “It was a big one for us because they won in our arena. “I’m just glad that we won the game,” Jokic said.

Denver nuggets record 2016