Jokic Dominates Heat With Triple Double As Nuggets Take Game 1 of NBA Finals

• The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals
• Nikola Jokic starred for the Nuggets in the series opener against the Heat
• Max Strus and Caleb Martin both had atrocious performances on Thursday

There is just no stopping the Denver Nuggets at home in this year’s playoffs.

They remained unbeaten at Ball Arena this postseason, recording a 104-93 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Thursday night.

Nikola Jokic starred for the Nuggets, who moved within three wins of their first-ever NBA title.

Jokic extends triple-double record

Jokic registered his ninth triple-double of these playoffs, finishing with 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in Game 1 against the Heat, per ESPN.

He shot 8 of 12 from the field, including 1 of 2 from the 3-point area.

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Jokic delivered when the Nuggets needed him most, scoring 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. His points in the final frame were badly needed as the Heat made a furious rally in the last quarter.

Miami unleashed an 11-0 run to start the fourth, cutting Denver’s lead to 84-74. The Nuggets responded with a 6-0 blast to restore their 16-point advantage.

The Heat battled back again, going on a 13-6 run to cut the lead to nine points with 2:34 left in the contest. That was the closest Miami got to Denver’s lead as the Nuggets held on for the win.

Balanced attack for the Nuggets

Four other players scored in double figures for the Nuggets in Game 1.

Jamal Murray stuffed the stat sheet, finishing with 26 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and one steal. Fellow starters, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. also contributed, scoring 16 and 14 points, respectively.

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Bruce Brown provided the firepower off the bench, scoring 10 points and grabbing five rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

Martin and Strus go missing

Caleb Martin and Max Strus struggled for the Heat in Game 1, combining for just three points against the Nuggets.

Martin, who scored 26 points in Game 7 against Boston, only had three in the Finals opener. He shot 1 of 7 from the field in Game 1 against Denver.

Strus’ shooting was even worse, missing all ten of his field goal attempts. He shot 0 for 9 from deep, finishing without a point in the series opener.

Celebrity fans of the Heat

Sports Brief recently reported on the celebrity supporters of the Miami Heat.

Tennis stars, Serena Williams and Coco Gauff are avid fans of the franchise.

DJ Khaled, Jimmy Buffett, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are also staunch Miami fans.