NBA Finals: Nuggets Lose At Home As Miami Turn Up The Heat To Level Series
5th June 2023
This was the first home defeat inflicted on the Nuggets throughout the playoffs as they came into the game with a 9-0 record
- The Miami Heat pulled off a remarkable road win in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets to level the series after a narrow 111-108 victory
- The Heat were 15 points down in the first half but outscored their opponents 36-25 in the final period with Bam Adebayo sealing the win with a couple of late free throws
- The NBA Finals now move to Miami on Wednesday, June 7 as the Denver Nuggets continue their quest to be crowned champions for the first time in their franchise history
The Miami Heat pulled off a remarkable road win in the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets to level the series after a narrow 111-108 victory.
This was the first home defeat inflicted on the Nuggets throughout the playoffs as they came into the game with a 9-0 record.
The Heat were 15 points down in the first half but outscored their opponents 36-25 in the final period with Bam Adebayo sealing the win with a couple of late free throws.
The Heat, who are aiming to become the first eighth-seeded team to win the title, were led by Gabe Vincent (23 points). Adebayo and Jimmy Butler scored 21 apiece in the win.
Nikola Jokic top-scored with 41 points for the Nuggets, but the defeat - their first home loss since 30 March - left coach Michael Malone frustrated.
Duncan Robinson scored all of his 10 points to spark a rally in the fourth quarter to turn an 83-75 deficit into a 88-85 lead that Miami wouldn't relinquish in tying the series at one game apiece.
They took the lead for the first time since the first quarter on Vincent's three-pointer with 10:10 to play and never trailed again.
A Butler three-pointer pushed the lead to 95-89 and he followed up with a three-point play as the Heat connected on 17 of 35 from beyond the arc on Sunday.
Max Strus, who didn't score a basket in game one, led all scorers in the first half with 14 points - including 4 three-pointers.
The NBA Finals now move to Miami on Wednesday, June 7 as the Denver Nuggets continue their quest to be crowned champions for the first time in their franchise history.