Record NBA finals, Jokic and Murray: Denver wins game 3 in Miami

NEW YORK – Nicholas Jokic first player in history to post 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a final series. And he is Jamal Murray first pair of team mates to sign a triple double in a finals match. They succeeded in NBAthat is the maximum technical expression of basketball, and in the most difficult evening, in which Denver had to answer, after losing at home to Miami in Game 2. The Nuggets responded at the top of the class, winning 109-94 at the end of a game in which the result was never really in the balance. Denver now leads 2-1 in the best-of-7 series, and that lead looks bigger than it indicates numerically.

Jokic and Murray dominant

With close encounters, flights, reduced workouts and accumulated tiredness, those who are certain can count on an extraordinary advantage. And Denver knows it can count on Jokic and Murray, whose game appears as clear as a straight line: the former occupies the area like no one else: he dominates every opponent, spins the ball, finding unthinkable angles, or penetrations, conclusions from three meters or from eight, and a great post job. The decision to have him marked by a different player in turn did not reward Miami. The Serbian, who is playing these finals with an average of 34 points, has found no opposition. With him, the other certainty is Murray, author of 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Every ball passes through their hands. The former played 44 of 48 minutes, the latter 45. As a duo, they shot 43 of 80 for the team, grabbed 31 of 58 rebounds, and dished 20 of 28 assists overall. As an impact we are at the levels of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden Age of the Warriors.

Miami Fatigue

On the other hand, Miami hasn’t kept up with its most anticipated players: Jimmy Butler (supported ringside by his friend Neymar) scored 24 points, but with 11-24 shooting, Bam Adebayo it stopped at 22 with 7-21. Around the comrades were missing, protagonists in turn in the playoffs, but disappeared tonight. Every Miami basket came with effort. Every Denver basket with smooth play. The hosts shot 37 percent. The seconds with 51.2. The Nuggets are now two wins away from the title, while the Heat need to win three of their next four, a feat that seems very difficult in Game 3.

Except for the first quarter (which ended 24-24), the western champions have always finished ahead: 29-24 (53-48) at halftime; 29-20 in the third (82-68) and 27-26 in the fourth for the final 109-94. The nineteen thousand spectators at the Kaseya Center on Biscaine Boulevard seemed resigned. The Heat have shown that they know how to go with the current. Tomorrow night game 4, still in Miami, could become decisive.