The NBA Finals have already produced plenty of excitement. The Nuggets dominated Game 1 at home. Nikola Jokić led a dominant blowout with yet another triple-double. However, despite Jokić dropping 41 points, the Heat were able to steal a tight Game 2. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Gabe Vincent were able to help the Heat outlast the Western Conference giants. This led to a hilarious moment where Butler mooned Adebayo at the post-game press conference.
As the series moved to Miami, there were a lot of variables in the air. Many pundits believed that the Heat had finally figured out how to defend Jokić. Furthermore, there was speculation that the Heat simply had the deeper starting roster, with the Nuggets heavily relying on Jokić and Jamal Murray. However, it would all be settled on the court, with the series lead up for grabs. After stealing a game on the road, it was the perfect opportunity for the Heat to take control of the series.
Jokić And Murray Headline Historic Night
Miami took a slim, early lead in the first quarter before the Nuggets battled back to end the first quarter tied at 24. However, Denver began to pull away in the second quarter and entered the half up five, 53-48. Jokić already had a double-double at the half, with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Nuggets pushed their momentum in the third quarter, extending their lead to 14 entering the final period. The Heat never found a way back into the game and Denver retook the lead in the Finals with a 109-94 victory.
Murray led all scorers with 34 points, adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Alongside him was Jokić, who put a 32-point triple-double with 21 rebounds and 10 assists. It made them the first players in NBA history to record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game. Furthermore, they became the first teammates to each record 30 points and 10 assists in the same game since Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter in 1992. Elsewhere, Jokić was making individual history by recording the first 30-20-10 game in NBA Finals history. Furthermore, it's just the third 30-20-10 game in playoff history after Kareem and Wilt. The Nuggets will look to build on this momentum in Friday's Game 4. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
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