The Denver Nuggets are three games closer to their first NBA title.
Nikola Jokic got a triple-double in his Finals debut, and Jamal Murray added 26 points to help the Nuggets with a 104-93 win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
“The most important thing is to win the game,” Jokic said.
It was his ninth triple-double of this year’s playoffs. And Jokic’s 14 assists are the most by a center in Finals history.
Miami Heat versus Denver Nuggets 2023 NBA Finals preview and prediction
Heat led by one in the first quarter, Nuggets led by as many as 24.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 26 points. Michael Porter Jr and Murray finished with a double-double for the Nuggets.
The Heat attempted and made only two free throws in the game fewest in a playoff game in NBA history.
“We are going to watch the film, get our minds wrapped around it,” Adebayo said. And shoot better in Game 2.”
Starters Max Strus and Caleb Martin combined for only three points for the Heat.
Game 2 is Sunday in Denver.
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