Sometimes, the Denver Nuggets dominated with their elite big man. Sometimes, the Nuggets dominated with their dynamic point guard. Other times, the Nuggets dominated with their complete roster.
The Nuggets cruised through a 104-93 win over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, as they leaned on a healthy dose of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and a deep supporting cast.
Jokic collected his NBA-record ninth post-season triple double in points (27), assists (14) and rebounds (10). Murray showed equal effectiveness as both a scorer (26 points) and passer (10 assists). Aaron Gordon (16 points, six rebounds) bolstered the Nuggets’ interior presence. Michael Porter Jr. (14 points, 13 rebounds) provided Denver with athleticism and positional versatility. Bruce Brown (10 points) gave Denver a two-way presence (10 points, five rebounds).
As the Nuggets slashed through the Heat with easy baskets, crisp passes and effective cutting, some might wonder if Miami can do anything to stop them. Like with most playoff series, it seems too reactionary to proclaim the Finals has ended before it barely started. As Miami has taught us during the 2023 NBA playoffs, underestimate the eighth-seeded Heat’s resiliency and competitiveness at your own peril.
Related: Takeaways from Nuggets Game 1 win over Heat in NBA Finals
Miami Heat facing much different opponent in 2023 NBA Finals
As the Heat painfully experienced in Game 1, however, they are facing a much different and more formidable playoff opponent than they have in earlier rounds. The Heat are no longer facing an underachieving top-seeded team (Milwaukee Bucks) that missed its best player for half the series due to a back injury (Giannis Antetokounmpo).
Miami isn’t competing against another blue-collar team that lacked the same talent and experience while failing to match its energy consistently (New York Knicks). The Heat aren’t facing another top-seeded team that showed inconsistency with their team chemistry, effort level and coaching (Boston Celtics).
The Heat are currently facing a Nuggets team that finished with the Western Conference’s top seed for the same reasons they dominated in Game 1.
Jokic lacks any offensive weaknesses and knows precisely when to shoot and pass. After missing the end of 2020-21 and all of 2021-22 with a torn ACL in his left knee, Murray has shown he will eventually become an All-Star. After spending his three seasons struggling with learning curves and injuries, Porter has fully blossomed with his athleticism, movement and comfort level. After falling short in the past two post-season runs because of injuries and lacking depth, the Nuggets have plugged in all of those holes with additional defensive reinforcements and outside shooting.
Miami simply had no answers to mitigate the Nuggets’ offensive strengths. Although Heat center Bam Adebayo excelled defensively and offensively (26 points, 13 rebounds, five assists), Miami doesn’t have enough size elsewhere both to reduce Jokic’s effectiveness and to account for Gordon’s ability to fill in the gaps.
Miami guard Gabe Vincent (19 points, five assists) might be a blossoming young player, and Miami guard Kyle Lowry (11 points, five assists, five rebounds) has thrived in a reduced role as a former All-Star. But they are not enough to negate Murray’s presence. Jimmy Butler (13 points, seven assists, seven rebounds) may give the Heat a competitive edge and two-way capabilities, but he can’t do everything on his own against a fully loaded Nuggets team.
Miami Heat still have a shot against the Denver Nuggets
Don’t expect Miami to give up so easily. It never has.
The Heat may feel encouraged actually that Max Strus (0 points on 0-for-10 shooting, 0-for-9 from deep), Caleb Martin (three points on 1-for-7 shooting) and Duncan Robinson (three points on 1-for-6 shooting and 1-for-5 from deep) shot so poorly. That gives them low-hanging fruit to adjust considering Robinson (44.6%), Martin (43.8%) and Strus (35.9%) have shot so well this postseason from beyond the arc.
Miami also stayed competitive against Denver when it opened the third quarter (7-0) and fourth quarter (11-0) on significant runs. The Heat even cut the Nuggets’ lead to 92-80 following Jimmy Butler’s dunk with 4:40 left, which prompted Denver to call timeout. Those moments have more to do with the Nuggets temporarily feeling comfortable with a lead, however, than it does with the Heat exposing any major weakness.
Miami can correct everything it wants offensively, most namely with its undrafted stars making more shots. That doesn’t address the Heat’s lack of defensive answers, though. The Heat may stay resilient. They may throw multiple bodies at Jokic in hopes to wear him out and bait him into foul trouble. They may stay disciplined on defensive rotations to ensure the sum becomes greater than their individual parts.
Related: Miami Heat need an aggressive Jimmy Butler moving forward
As Denver showed in Game 1, however, it can dominate offensively in many ways. The Nuggets’ past playoff opponents can attest that no amount of effort, adjustments or luck can overcome that. Even if Miami has what it takes at least to keep the Finals competitive, it appears the Heat will ultimately experience the same outcome.
Mark Medina is an NBA Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.