Miami Heat 63-84 Denver Nuggets LIVE: Hosts storm into a massive 21-point lead at the end of the third quarter with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray outstanding
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER: MIA 63-84 DEN
Murray didn’t slow down his scoring as the third quarter got underway – scoring Denver’s first six points of the quarter.
Bam Adebayo began to take his chance to exert himself for Miami’s offense. The big man finished the quarter with a total of 24 points on 12-23 shooting.
But the rest of Miami struggled to show up in this quarter. By the time three frames were through, the Heat were shooting an appalling 27-76 (35.5 percent) from the field and 7-27 (25.9 percent) from 3-point range.
Nikola Jokic (L) and Jamal Murray (R) were putting on a show as Denver approached a win
END OF THE SECOND QUARTER: MIA 42-59 DEN
The Nuggets opened up quarter number two by letting the 3-point shots fly as Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. drained crucial shots to increase their lead to 35-24.
Role players on both teams got in on the scoring as Denver’s Jeff Green and Miami’s Duncan Robinson and Haywood Highsmith grabbed buckets.
Miami shortened the deficit thanks to three straight shots hit by Kyle Lowry, Adebayo, and Highsmith – but Denver almost always found a response.
But Murray really began pouring it on – hitting a crucial 3-pointer to bring his point total to 18 at the half.
By the time the buzzer sounded, Jokic had already completed a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists off some sublime passing.
Jamal Murray had an impressive second quarter – bringing his first half total to 18 points
But Nikola Jokic’s double-double, with intuitive passing, was what truly got Denver to this lead
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER: MIA 20-29 DEN
It was a monster start to the game by Denver Nuggets role playing power forward Aaron Gordon – whose 12 points in the first quarter led every player on the floor.
Gordon shot 6-8 as his powerful dunks and elusive nature under the basket allowed star man Nikola Jokic to rack up six assists.
The big man did not take a single shot until three seconds remained in the first quarter – allowing the offense to run through him.
On the other side of the court, Miami’s Bam Adebayo shot an impressive 4-6 for eight points as the Heat remained close.
Aaron Gordon and Denver took advantage of Miami’s zone early – taking a first quarter lead
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