NBA Finals Heat vs. Nuggets Scores Game 3: Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray make history

Miami Heat: Starting Five

Gabe Vincent: Was unlucky in the first half with some dubious foul whistles that seemed to thwart the Nigerian’s rhythm. Only 7 points (2/10 FG), plus not a single assist. It wasn’t the guard’s game. Note: 4,5.

Max Strus: Started really well with 4 assists within the first few minutes, once the guard even unpacked a crosscourt pass into the corner. Hardly to be seen after that, the litter was gone again (3, 1/7 FG). Solid at the back, but nothing more. Note: 3,5.

Jimmy Butler: Attacked a lot more, but mostly only succeeded when his matchup wasn’t Aaron Gordon. Denver dropped less, so Butler wasn’t the passer in the early games. Despite 28 points (11/24 FG) left a lot on the ring. Note: 3.

Kevin Love: Hit two threes in his 16 minutes and pulled an offensive foul, but that’s about it. In a one-on-one against Jokic without any resistance, Love also had problems against Gordon’s athleticism. Note: 4.

Bam Adebayo: Started strong, but the longer the game went on, the less Adebayo was able to do in attack. 22 points and 17 rebounds read well, but the center also needed 21 throws and 10 free throws. Some of his throws from the middle distance were too hasty again. One wishes that Adebayo would look for the way to the basket even more. Note: 3.

Miami Heat: The Reservists

Kyle Lowry: Made 3 threes, played 5 assists and forced 2 turnovers in almost 30 minutes. That’s perfectly fine for the oldie, but he wasn’t able to turn things around either. Nevertheless: Of the role players, he did his job best. Note: 3.

Duncan Robinson: The two threes just before the end improve Robinson’s statline a little, before the shooter wasn’t really a factor. So it was 9 points (3/6 3P) in 14 minutes. Note: 3,5.

Caleb Martin: Good first half with two threes and steals, but not much came from him after that either. Nevertheless, it gave hope that Martin showed increasing form with 10 points after two weaker performances. Note: 3.

Cody Zeller: Any possession that Jokic doesn’t score against him is a win. Zeller pulled the offensive foul exactly once. Otherwise it’s the old story, the backup center has no chance and consequently only saw 6 minutes in the first half. Note: 4.

Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, Ömer Yurtseven and Udonis Haslem were used in Garbage Time, there is no rating for that.

Denver Nuggets: Starting Five

Jamal Murray: Set up the first triple-double of his playoff career with 34, 10 and 10 (neither teammate had ever had a 30-point triple-double before) and was unstoppable in the first half – not even from Jimmy Butler. The Canadian cooled off a little after the change, but was back in the fourth quarter and brought the game home from the free-throw line (6/6 FT). 5 turnovers in the fourth quarter was a small stain on his otherwise clean slate. Note: 1.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Had the best view of Murray and Jokic’s show and was barely noticeable in the game. He hit a jumper, his three threes didn’t fall. Defensively solid and without any major mistakes. Note: 4.

Michael Porter Jr.: The first half was really weak, again MPJ had numerous defensive failures and hit nothing at all. After the break, at least with more effort, but only 2 points (1/7) are far too little from a third option. Note: 4,5.

Aaron Gordon: AG also had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, in the shadow of the two stars Gordon worked tirelessly and did a good job against Butler again. Only his appearances at the free-throw line remain a problem (1/4 FT). Note: 2.

Nikola Jokic: What else is there to say about the Serb? This time he was again scorer and passer in one, Miami found no means against him. Sometimes he punished smaller opponents, sometimes he pulled Adebayo out of the zone and found the cutters. In addition, the interaction with Murray, the Joker always had an ace up his sleeve. Note: 1.

Denver Nuggets: The Reservists

Bruce Brown: Brown didn’t do much offensively, but defensively he was up to par with three blocks, including a rejection against Adebayo. It was a solid performance for Brown, who executed his role as usual. Note: 2,5

Reggie Jackson: Due to KCP’s foul problems, Jackson saw minutes in these finals for the first time. It was 83 seconds in the first quarter, resulting in a 1 rebund and 1 assist. Nonetheless: No rating.

Jeff Green: The same applied to Green, who hit both of his shots in 18 minutes and at least was not attacked from behind. The oldie stayed clean and that’s always a win for Denver. Note: 3.

Christian Braun: The surprise of the game. His energy is contagious, Braun acts like a Duracell rabbit at times, but this time purposeful. The forward is defensively strong and a smart cutter. Booked 5 of his 15 points (7/8 FG) in the fourth quarter. Let’s just forget the corner three on the board. Note: 1,5.

Peyton Watson, Thomas Bryant, Zeke Nnaji and Vlatko Cancar played the last 29 seconds, there is no rating for that.

NBA Finals – Nuggets vs. Heat: The series at a glance

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