By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Heading to Miami for Games 3 and 4, the Denver Nuggets will have a couple of chances to recover the homecourt advantage in the 2023 NBA Finals.
Recapping the Game 2 loss, Serbia’s own, franchise leader Nikola Jokic presented the 36 points allowed in the fourth quarter as the most disturbing part of the boxscore.
“We just didn’t play well, the right way in the fourth quarter. They scored 36 points in the fourth quarter. That’s too much,” noted the 28-year-old center following the NBA Sundays contest.
Jokic poured 41 points as the Nuggets lost at home for the first time in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. “We didn’t want it to happen, but it happened, so we’re going to live with it,” mentioned the Joker on falling short in Ball Arena.
Grabbing 11 rebounds shaped the double-double, but Jokic was also limited to four assists.
After making 13/39 in Game 1, the Heat improved to 17/35 from beyond the arc in Game 2. “Miami came in here and outworked us, and we were by far our least disciplined game,” noted head coach Michael Malone.
“I think the discipline is the key for us,” Jokic agreed with the Nuggets play-caller, “Hopefully, we’re going to be disciplined for the next game.”
With the best-of-seven series tied 1-1, Game 3 follows in Kaseya Center Wednesday. Game 4 will be played Friday in the same venue. Back in Denver, Game 5 is scheduled for next Monday.
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