Entry 5: "Finals Games 2, 3, and 4 Overview"
In Case You Missed It, The Denver Nuggets Are One Win Away From the Championship
By: Liz
June 9, 2023
Before I get into the overview of the last three games, I just want to apologize for disappearing. I’ve been working a lot since game 1 and I haven’t felt energized enough to write. But I’m back after game 4 and I’m finally ready to talk about what’s happened, so strap in.
NBA Finals Game 2 [June 4, 2023]
Game 2 of the NBA Finals was intense to say the absolute least. Though it ended in a heartbreaking loss for Denver and the team's fans alike, it was still a performance for the books by both teams. Miami beat Denver 111-108, making them the first team to beat Denver at home this postseason. There were two huge missed calls against Miami during this game: an out-of-bounds call on Jimmy Butler and a goaltend on Bam Adebayo.
Regardless, both teams gave it their all. Jimmy Butler ended up with 21 points and 9 assists in his 40 minutes, Bam Adebayo had 21 points and 9 rebounds in his 40 minutes, and Gabe Vincent was the leading scorer for Miami that game with 23 points in 32 minutes. However, Duncan Robinson was the one who really pulled the win out for Miami, though he only had 10 points, he hit some of the biggest 3’s that allowed for that win.
On Denver’s side, Nikola Jokić had a ridiculous game, ending with 41 points and 11 rebounds in 42 minutes. Jamal Murray was noticeably ‘quiet’ compared to game 1, but still had 18 points and 10 assists in 39 minutes. Aaron Gordon played decently as well, ending up with 12 points and 7 rebounds in 38 minutes. But, the disappointing factors during game 2 were Michael Porter Jr. [5 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes] and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope [6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 36 minutes.]
This game tied the series up 1-1, but it wasn’t exactly series shifting like many people thought it would be.
NBA Finals Game 3 [June 7, 2023]
Now, I’d be lying to you if I said I believed Denver was going to win game 3. I was fully expecting Miami to come onto their homecourt and beat the Nuggets, but boy do I feel stupid now. Obviously, I had confidence in my team, but when Tony Brothers is the crew chief for a Denver Nuggets game, there’s room for doubt.
Despite that, though, Denver managed to go into Kaseya Center and beat the Heat 109-94 to take a 2-1 lead.
On the Heat’s side of things, Jimmy Butler had a well-played game with 28 points and 4 assists in his 40 minutes, and Bam Adebayo had a massive game, ending with 22 points and 17 rebounds. However, Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray stole the entire show by making history.
For starters, Jokić became the first player to ever record a 30/20/10 triple-double [32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in 44 minutes for the Joker] in the NBA Finals, that would be historic enough as it is. But, on top of that, Jamal Murray also had a 30-point triple-double [34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Blue Arrow], again, a historic performance. But on top of that, both Jokić and Murray became the first duo EVER to have 30-point triple-doubles in a game in history. Not only in the regular season, not only in the playoffs, not only in the finals, but in history.
** My Personal Opinion: Okay, I understand that not everybody cares about my personal life, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Game 3’s win was extra special to me, not only because it meant my team was only 2 wins away from the Championship, but because it was also my dad's birthday. Listen, I know I’ve talked about my dad a lot and blah, blah, blah, but it’s all for a good reason.
My whole life (and even before I was born, I’ve been told), all my dad has wanted is to see the Nuggets play and win on his birthday, and this year that dream finally became a reality. So game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals will forever be the greatest Nuggets game of all time in my household. But, anyway, let’s move on to game 4.
NBA Finals Game 4 [June 9, 2023]
Now, when it came down to Game 4, I’m being completely honest when I said I had a good feeling before the game started that Denver was going to take this one too. I just knew there was no way that they were going to let it slip through the cracks. There was so much good energy in the world today, it was just meant to happen.
The game started off tight, both teams were exchanging baskets throughout the first two quarters and went into half-time with Denver leading 55-51. The scores were relatively close throughout three of the four quarters [20-21 first quarter, 35-30 second quarter, and 22-22 fourth quarter], but it was in the third quarter where there was an obvious shift in momentum [31-22, DEN.]
Overall, both teams were playing with energy and laid everything they had out on the floor. Jimmy Butler was Miami’s ‘hero’ tonight with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in 45 minutes, followed by Bam Adebayo’s 20 points and 11 rebounds in 44 minutes. Kyle Lowry also played a pivotal role in game 4, ending up with 13 points and 7 assists. Lowry was able to get to the line quite often, he knew/knows how to draw the fouls that will get him there.
Nikola Jokić set another record tonight, becoming the first player in NBA History with 500 points, 250 rebounds and 150 assists in a single postseason. He wound up with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, not a triple-double, but a winning performance. Even so, he was hit with 5 fouls in this game, barely avoiding being fouled out by Scott Foster. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. had double-digit points tonight [15 points and 12 assists for Murray; 11 points and 3 rebounds for Porter], a decent performance from the two of them. But the stars of tonight's game were Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown. Bruce ended up with 21 points off the bench, he played a huge part in tonight's win. Aaron Gordon had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, the leading scorer and ‘hero’ for the Denver Nuggets in game 4.
After averaging millions of views [11.5 mil. Game 1, 11.9 mil. Game 2, 11.24 mil. Game 3, and 10.46 mil. Game 4], Denver is now just one win away from their first-ever championship, an insane reality for fans of this franchise. As the team would say, they “are not satisfied” until they get one more win, and that could very well be Monday, June 12. Keep your spirits high, your energy good and positive, and GO NUGGETS!
Sources:
The Denver Nuggets are 9-1 at home in the 2023 playoffs.
Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray make triple-double history in Game 3 win
NBA Finals Game 4 : How Nuggets' dominant team effort put them one win away from a title
2023 NBA Finals Ratings Game 1