India Breaking News reported Nikola Jokic Shines with 2nd NBA Finals Triple Double, propelling the Denver Nuggets to a commendable start with a 104-93 victory over the Miami Heat. Jokic, a two-time MVP, led the Nuggets with a robust performance of 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists.

NBA Finals

The Nuggets are now looking to build on their momentum in Game 2 at home on Sunday. Jokic, alongside Jamal Murray, joined an elite group as the second duo after Magic Johnson and James Worthy of the 1987 Lakers to each score 25 points and record 10 assists in an NBA Finals game.

Reflecting on their strategy, Jokic emphasized the importance of establishing dominance early in the series. He noted that in previous rounds, Miami had managed to secure their first away game, but the Nuggets were determined to prevent a repeat of that scenario. Jokic felt confident about the team’s execution of their game plan. Miami’s Bam Adebayo led his team with 26 points, while Gabe Vincent and Haywood Highsmith added 19 and 18 points, respectively. Despite their efforts, Heat star Jimmy Butler only managed 13 points.

The Heat’s challenge was further highlighted by their limited number of free throw attempts throughout the game. Facing a 21-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, Miami rallied with an 11-0 run, reducing the gap to 10 points. A three-pointer from Highsmith later cut the deficit to just nine points. However, the Nuggets consistently managed to extend their lead, with Jokic setting up Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for crucial baskets and Aaron Gordon sealing the deal with free throws.

The atmosphere in Denver Arena was electric as 19,528 fans witnessed Jokic’s crucial free throws and a step-back jumper that cemented the Nuggets’ victory. Jokic lauded the team effort, highlighting the collaborative spirit that led to this significant win.

Nikola Jokic notches

Despite a 10-day break since sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, Jokic felt content with his role and quickly adapted, recording six assists in the first quarter alone. He didn’t attempt his first shot until the end of the quarter, stealing from Cody Zeller and scoring a layup that extended Denver’s lead.

The Miami Heat, having just ousted the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals and traveled directly from Boston, struggled initially, only making nine shots in the first quarter. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged the team’s slow start but noted an improvement in energy and input in the second half, stressing the need for consistency throughout the game.

Denver maintained its strong performance, with Jamal Murray adding 10 points in the second quarter, and four Nuggets players reaching double digits in the first half. Remarkably, Jokic achieved a feat only matched by LeBron James in the past 25 years, recording 10 points and 10 assists in a single quarter of the NBA Finals. Jokic underscored the importance of adapting his role as needed, emphasizing that scoring isn’t always necessary for him to impact the game positively.

The Miami Heat briefly narrowed the gap to 10 points at the start of the third quarter, but the Nuggets effectively responded to every shift in momentum. Jimmy Butler praised Denver’s home-court performance but hinted at adjustments and a more impactful approach for Game 2.

The narrative of the NBA Finals is marked by the contrasting paths of the Heat and Nuggets, with Miami overcoming numerous challenges as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference and Denver consistently leading the Western Conference. This setup replaces the anticipated Celtics-Lakers matchup with a potentially classic series between the Heat and Nuggets, starting with Game 1 in Denver.