Defense, not offense, is Nuggets’ biggest concern headed into Game 3 of NBA Finals

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MIAMI − Much has been made of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic’s offense and how the Miami Heat try to defend him.

In Miami’s 111-108 Game 2 victory, tying the NBA Finals at 1-1, Jokic had 41 points but just four assists as the Nuggets fell to 0-4 all-time in the playoffs when Jokic scores 40 or more. His four assists were a playoff-low this season.

While the Heat’s strategy to slow Jokic will continue to be a topic, the Nuggets were still an efficient offensive team through two games. The bigger concern is their defense and the effort on that side of the court.

“If you really want to simplify the first two games, in the first three quarters we have dominated both games,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “The Miami Heat are dominating the fourth quarter.”

Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) shoots the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green (32) during the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

He’s right. In the fourth quarter of the Finals, Miami has outscored Denver 66-45 and has shot 63.9% from the field and 52.4% on 3-pointers.

“How can everybody else help themselves? Communicate, be disciplined,” Malone said. “It starts with the defense. If we defend and rebound, we can get out and run. We had 18 fast-break points in Game 2 − 16 in the first half and 13 in that second quarter.

“We’re not getting any runouts in the fourth quarter because we’re defending nobody.”

Though the Heat were No. 27 in 3-point shooting during the regular season, they have rediscovered their touch that made them the No. 1 3-point shooting team in the 2021-22 regular season. In this season’s playoffs, the Heat are No. 1 in 3-point shooting (39.2%) and made 17-for-35 3s in Game 2.

The Heat have the shooters, too, with Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love. Jimmy Butler keeps teams honest from that range, and there’s the possibility that Tyler Herro, who broke his right (shooting) hand against Milwaukee in Game 1 of their first-round Eastern Conference series, returns against Denver.

The Heat are getting good looks at the rim, too, an indication they have the…

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Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2023-06-06 21:00:43

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