The Denver Nuggets are looking like they are headed for a strong Game 3 win in the NBA Finals and taking a 2-1 advantage in the series over the Miami Heat.
Nuggets’ coach Michael Malone criticized the team for their poor effort after a fourth-quarter collapse in Game 2 caused them to lose homecourt advantage. They were determined to win that back in Game 3, as indicated by Malone’s speech to the squad before tip-off.
“We must all be on the same page, help each other out there. We’ve got to play for 48 minutes tonight. We have dominated six quarters out of the eight, the fourth quarter has given us issues… Enjoy this moment, enjoy this opportunity, and embrace it! Play with urgency and desperation that embodies that. We didn’t have that in Game 2. That’s who we are, that’s why we’re here.”
“Enjoy this moment, enjoy this opportunity, and embrace it! Play with an urgency and a desperation that embodies that… That’s who we are, that’s why we’re here!”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone to his team before Game 3 of the NBA Finals 🗣️pic.twitter.com/FxSx7mWb8t
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 8, 2023
The Nuggets lead the Heat by 14 points heading into the fourth quarter, with the scoring sitting at 82-68. The Heat will not be able to defend their homecourt after becoming the first team to beat the Nuggets on the road. Nikola Jokic has had an incredible game so far, with 26 points and 18 rebounds. He is one assist away from a triple-double.
Denver Regaining Control
The Nuggets were favorites before the Finals, and they are proving why people expected them to easily win this series despite the Heat’s knack for upsetting higher-seeded playoff opponents. They are far more talented and extremely well-coached, with Malone constantly responding to Erik Spoelstra’s adjustments to make this an incredibly tactical matchup.
Jimmy Butler has been putting up a fight tonight, scoring 26 points with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter. He can still explode and complete another impossible Heat comeback in this playoff run. But it does look like Denver will take a 2-1 lead tonight, proving Malone’s speech before the game ended up working well.
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