NBA Finals: Here’s why the Denver Nuggets lost Game 2 – basketball

The final series of the NBA is tied. The Heat won Game 2 – and home field advantage – with a 111-108 win over the Nuggets on Sunday. Miami survived an attack in the second quarter with a run of their own in the fourth quarter. Jamal Murray missed a three point before time was up that would have sent the game into overtime. Instead, it is now 1:1 in the series. We continue in Miami. Here are three thoughts on the Heat victory.

1. Miami’s playoff shot rate has returned

After hitting from distance in Game 1 with 13 of 39 shots, the Heat shot from beyond the three-point line in Game 2 with 17 of 35 shots. This is a recurring theme for Miami in the postseason. When they play rookie mode like the Warriors did in 2018, the team usually wins.

The reversal was perhaps best embodied by Max Strus. After Strus failed to hit any of nine outside throws at the beginning of the series, he sank four of his ten three-pointer attempts on Sunday. Overall, the Heat scored 18 more points from threes than the Nuggets. With Miami having little room for error, turning the entire roster into the Splash Brothers is perhaps their best shot at lasting success.

2. Denver’s defense needs to get better

While Miami’s batting average and lack of continuity will be a subject of debate, the Nuggets didn’t do themselves any favors in Game 2. Denver was very poor defensively early in the game. After Game 1, I praised Miami’s offensive performance, although the team only scored 93 points. The Heat didn’t radically change their attack on Sunday, but they did take advantage of the many open throws Denver allowed.

Those who had concerns about Nikola Jokic’s ability to keep up defensively in the playoffs got some ammo in Game 2. Jokic’s drop cover kept allowing for good chances. Bam Adebayo had his second 20-point game in a row and routinely dismantled the nuggets on the short throw. While Jimmy Butler didn’t gain momentum on offense, he consistently managed to overturn the Denver defense and find the outside shooters.

This isn’t new to the Nuggets. They are used to teams attacking Jokic with screens. That’s why intensity is so important. That’s why Jokic can’t afford to save energy. Therefore, communication between all players on the floor must be flawless. Denver played like it could win back every ball on offense. While the Nuggets have the offensive talent to play that way, it’s not a recipe for lasting success in the Finals. Denver needs to be sharper defensively, and that starts with the Joker increasing its intensity. High hands, protection, go in Bam, whatever it takes. This is about everything. You are not allowed to leave open throws to the opponent.

3. Miami’s rotation still needs tweaking

The Heat fielded Kevin Love on Sunday – a decision that proved wise. Love played 22 minutes, the most in almost a month, and contributed 18 points. The addition of Love allowed the Heat to put Butler on Jamal Murray early in the game, and Miami’s defense looked a lot better in that lineup.

However, the start of the second quarter in the last two games has been interesting. Denver has won the minutes without Jokic early in the second quarter of every game — a length of time that usually represents a danger zone for the Nuggets. Miami’s bench failed to get their offense going early in the second half and Denver almost decided the game early. At the start of the second half, Butler is usually on the bench while Adebayo is on the floor. The Heat should really consider changing this in the future.

One option would be to swap Bam’s and Jimmy’s break times. That would mean stripping Butler in the first half and benching Adebayo early in the second half. That would align Bam’s minutes more closely with Jokic’s. Miami won the time that both Adebayo and Joker were on the floor in Game 2, which is crucial for their chances of winning this series. Jokic downright crushed Cody Zeller whenever he was in the game. The Heat narrowly won Game 2. They must not allow themselves to be stalled any further when Zeller is involved. Not having him guard the best basketball player in the universe would be a start.

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