The 2023 NBA Finals have finally kicked off and the favorites have done their job already. The Denver Nuggets took Game 1, taking a 1-0 lead against the Miami Heat. The much-anticipated series is Heat’s toughest test yet. Miami entered the Finals after a tough win versus the Celtics in seven-game, blowing a 3-0 lead. The Heat had never lost Game 1 of any series, as they fell versus Denver, 104-93. The Nuggets have the home-court advantage, with Game 2 scheduled at Ball Arena.
The Heat seemed pretty off in Game 1, as they weren’t able to hold off the Nuggets. The two best players of the postseason, Jimmy Butler and Nikola Jokic went at it. Denver led the game by 21 going into the fourth, with Miami trying their best to come back. Jokic and company had momentum going throughout the game. Miami lacked scoring from their key players, as Martin and Strus couldn’t contribute to their full potential.
Going into Game 2 of the series, the Heat have to be more aggressive on the defensive end, avoiding Denver of open shots. The Nuggets have strong pick-n’-roll chemistry, not only among the two initiating the play but all five players on the floor. Their screens open up opportunities for players to shoot the ball as well as make easy cuts to the basket. For the Heat, Game 2 might get tougher as we look at the expected roster.
Miami Heat Expected Lineup
• Gabe Vincent
• Max Strus
• Jimmy Butler
• Caleb Martin
• Bam Adebayo
Denver Nuggets Expected Lineup
• Jamal Murray
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Michael Porter Jr.
• Aaron Gordon
• Nikola Jokic
Can the Heat hold off the Denver Nuggets in Game 2?
With the roster expected to be the same as Game 1, recent reports reveal Caleb Martin’s status for Game 2. The key player of the Heat is battling through an illness, as he missed practice ahead of the next game. Martin helped heavily in the Conference Finals versus the Celtics. His shooting has made the team a threat from beyond the arc, including players like Strus and Vincent. Miami is already playing without their star player, Tyler Herro. The team managed to reach the Finals without him, though, at this point, they would need all the help they can get.
Game 1 was followed by Haywood Highsmith‘s 18-point surge off the bench. Bam led the team in scoring, putting up 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Where the Joker had a triple-double for himself, filling the stat sheet with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists. As Game 2 is scheduled to tip-off on Sunday, the Heat would need Butler’s scoring back on track. The team seems to have figured out their offensive pattern, though they’ll have to be consistent. With Martin’s health in question and considering the momentum held by Denver, the Nuggets should have no problem in Game 2. Though it will be interesting to see what the Heat have planned for the next game.