NBA Finals: Miami’s Fourth-quarter Explosion Leads to Game 2 Win over Nuggets

After failing to make a three-point shot in Game 1, the Heat finally found their range.

In Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, the Miami Heat recovered and defeated the Denver Nuggets, 111-108. They did this thanks to a strong fourth quarter performance.

The Heat regained the lead with a 17-4 run to start the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets were able to close the gap to three points with less than a minute remaining by using their own 11-2 run.

The Heat were able to avoid going into overtime, as Jimmy Butler scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer on a stepback three-pointer by Jamal Murray.

As the clock reached zero, Murray’s shot fell just short of the front rim, exactly as Miami wanted.

Making the three ball was one of the main factors that led to that happening. Winning one game on the road is always a success in the playoffs.

In Game 1 of the Finals, Miami, which leads all playoff teams in three-point percentage this postseason, struggled, particularly from Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, who had previously dominated from beyond the arc.

In Game 1, Strus had a shocking 0 for 10 field goal shooting performance, missing nine three-point attempts. However, shooters do indeed fire.

Miami got off to a fast start in the first quarter thanks to four three-pointers from Strus (they won the period 26-23). Although the Heat required that output, he would miss his next six attempts from beyond the arc.

Vincent was even better, scoring a team-high 23 points with three assists and two steals for the Heat on 8-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range.

Butler came through in the clutch in the fourth quarter—something that happens frequently these days—finishing 7 of 19 for 21 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. A total of 8 of 14 from the field and a flawless 5-of-5 from the charity stripe gave Bam Adebayo’s contribution of 21 points.

When attempting to defeat the Nuggets, the Heat shot 48.6% from three-point range as a team.

While Nikola Jokic didn’t have a triple-double like he did in Game 1, he still scored 41 points on 16 of 28 attempts to take the game’s top spot in that category for Denver. On Sunday night, he took the scoring into his own hands despite only having four assists and 11 rebounds to record a double-double.

Given how Murray has been playing in these playoffs—he has averaged 27 points per night since entering Game 2—it was strange to see him only have 18 points. On 7 of 15 field goal attempts, he scored 18 points (3 of 8 from three).

Bruce Brown scored 11 points off the bench on 4-of-9 shooting, while Aaron Gordon contributed 12 points and seven rebounds.

Denver’s first home playoff defeat came as a result of this defeat.

On Wednesday, Game 3 will be played in Miami, with a scheduled tip-off time of 8:30 p.m.

Reference: www.foxnews.com