In an intense Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Denver Nuggets took a decisive 109-94 victory over the Miami Heat to gain a 2-1 series lead. The game took place on June 7th, 2023, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both had outstanding performances, with Jokic achieving an impressive triple-double with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Murray contributed a triple-double of his own, scoring 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. The duo became the second pair of teammates in NBA history to each score 30 points and 10 assists in a playoff game.

Despite a quiet 28 points from Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat struggled to keep up with the Nuggets' pace and lost the game. Fans on social media expressed awe at Jokic's performance, drawing comparisons to Tim Duncan and noting the historic nature of his 30/20/10 triple-double. One user pointed out that Jokic and Murray are increasingly claiming the title of the NBA's best duo.

Christian Braun also had a notable game, coming off the bench to score 15 points with 7/8 FGs, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Meanwhile, Michael Porter Jr.'s scoring struggles were highlighted by some fans, as he shot at a 32.9% TS through the first three games of the Finals.

Miami fans were criticized for leaving the arena early, especially considering the high cost of tickets and the history of strong comebacks in the NBA Finals. However, this did not overshadow the remarkable performances by the Denver Nuggets' key players.

Both teams will face off again in Miami on June 9th, 2023, as the Heat look to even the series, while the Nuggets aim to extend their lead.

source_id: 20230607_nba_en_miami_denve

source_channel: game_en

environment: dev

status: published