Game 4 headlines
Game Story: Gritty Nuggets turn off Heat in fourth quarter to take commanding 3-1 lead in NBA Finals
How did Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon beat the Heat in NBA Finals? By being coolest shooter of Game 4.
Nuggets 3-pointers: Bam Adebayo, that flop you pulled on Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic deserved a yellow card
Kiszla: Nuggets one win away from a championship dream come true
Live updates
FINAL: NUGGETS 108, HEAT 95: One more win. That’s all the Nuggets need to claim their first Larry O’Brien Trophy. It wasn’t pretty. It was gritty. And it’s exactly the kind of game that championship teams win. Get ready for a party Monday night, Denver. — Matt Schubert
What can Brown do? (9:03): Close games. That’s what Bruce Brown can do. This isn’t a Nikola Jokic or Jamal Murray win. This is a team win. After KCP’s 3, it’s 105-91 with 1:49 to go. This. Thing. Is. Done. — Matt Schubert
Almost there (9 p.m.): The defense has been spectacular. The half-court offensive sets a grind. But the Nuggets are so close to taking a 3-1 lead in this series. It’s 97-87 with 3:13 to go. — Matt Schubert
Surviving (8:57 p.m.): If the Nuggets win this, credit the defense of that unit. Especially KCP. What a stretch for them on the defensive end. — Matt Schubert
(8:52 p.m.): The Nuggets lineup with 7 minutes left in a close NBA Finals game: Brown-Murray-KCP-Green-Gordon. They just created 3 points of distance after Miami cut it to 86-81. — Bennett Durando
There he is (8:48 p.m.): When the Nuggets desperately needed him, Jamal Murray shows up. First he drains a 3-pointer off a pindown screen. Then he feeds Aaron Gordon for a hoop at the rim. Gordon has 27 points, five rebounds and five assists. He is the reason the Nuggets are leading this game 91-83 with 6:54 to go. — Matt Schubert
Malone drops the ball (8:42 p.m.): Twice Michael Malone missed a chance to challenge calls that probably get overturned. The Heat has life, trailing 86-80 with 8:42 and Jokic is on the bench with five fouls. The Nuggets need a hero. — Matt Schubert
Buckle up (8:41 p.m.): I think Nikola Jokic should know better than to grapple with Bam away from the ball at the offensive end of the floor, one possession after picking up a fourth foul. Now Jokic has five with more than nine minutes left, and it’s safe for Nuggets fans to start biting their nails even with an 8-point lead. — Bennett Durando
THIRD QUARTER THOUGHTS
Matt Schubert, sports editor: This time, it’s the Nuggets who close out a quarter strong. Aaron Gordon is having himself a game. A corner 3 from AG and the Nuggets lead 86-73 going into the fourth quarter. The defense has been strong. But Miami is all about fourth-quarter rallies. Is Denver’s cushion big enough?
Bennett Durando, sports reporter: This is one for the ages from Aaron Gordon. But if Miami makes a huge fourth-quarter run, as has been known to happen, Heat Culture will undoubtedly remember this as The Rim Delay Game. Don’t let this be The Rim Delay Game, Denver.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Don’t know how many times I have to tell you kids: Clean up your room … and … the Nuggets are better at basketball than Miami.
(8:28p.m.): Wonder if the basket leveling .. and the extra delay, means Joker doesn’t come out the rest of the game. Might’ve been the case anyway, but still .. — Mike Singer
All level (8:27 p.m.): For the record, the Nuggets twice had to endure breaks like this while maintenance crews fixed issues with one of the baskets at Ball Arena this season. So, yes, they’ve actually been here. — Matt Schubert
All level (8:27 p.m.): For the record, the Nuggets twice had to endure breaks like this while maintenance crews fixed issues with one of the baskets at Ball Arena this season. So, yes, they’ve actually been here. — Matt Schubert
(8:25 p.m.): Kyle Lowry is complaining that the rim is crooked after the offensive basket interference called on Bam. Nikola Jokic decided to hang on the other side of the rim (opposite the side Bam attempted to dunk on) for a few seconds. Then stood at top of key and looked at it. Shrugged.I couldn’t tell if Jokic was hanging on rim to balance it out/correct it or test out whether it felt weird. — Bennett Durando
(8:23 p.m.): Jokic has hung on the rim, twice, in an effort to balance it out after Bam’s basket interference. Heat fans didn’t know whether to cheer or boo. — Mike Singer
Hanging around (8:16 p.m.): The Nuggets have blown multiple opportunities to surge ahead. After Duncan Robinson steals an ill-advised Nikola Jokic outlet pass and converts on the other end, the Denver lead is down to 74-66 with 3:07 left in the third quarter. The Nuggets cannot afford to have another poor finish to a quarter. If your Michael Malone, you have to think long and hard about playing Jokic the rest of the way. — Matt Schubert
(8:14 p.m.): K-Love has the last 9 for the Heat. Nuggets are cooking, while he’s trying to keep Miami in it. — Bennett Durando
More movement (8:06 p.m.): Another back cut, this time from Jamal Murray, leads to another lay-in. Fantastic pass from Aaron Gordon. The Nuggets now have their largest lead of the night at 65-55 with 7:35 left in the third quarter. Denver continues to own the third quarter in this series. But can they build a lead large enough to withstand Miami’s patented fourth-quarter kick? — Matt Schubert
Off-ball movement (8:03 p.m.): Two possessions in a row Michael Porter Jr. gets a bucket at the rim on a cut to the hoop. That’s how you break a cold spell. — Matt Schubert
What’s up with Murray (7:50 p.m.): The Heat was committed to getting the ball out of Jamal Murray’s hands in the first two quarters, often trying to trap him with two defenders whenever he came off a Nikola Jokic screen. If Murray can get the ball to Jokic on those doubles, it’s 4-on-3 with the rock in Jokic’s hands. I’m guessing Michael Malone will take that. — Matt Schubert
Miami’s triumvirate (7:49 p.m.): Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry have 39 points on 15-of-24 shooting combined. The rest of the Heat is 5 of 14, Right now, the Nuggets are beating the Heat at its own grinding game. — Matt Schubert
HALFTIME UPDATE
Bennett Durando, sports reporter: The Nuggets are winning by two baskets even though Jokic isn’t well on his way to a triple-double, AND Jamal Murray only has 6 points? Denver is wishing you thanks right now, Aaron Gordon. I told my esteemed Denver Post colleagues on the carpool ride to the arena that I thought this would be the best game of the series. It’s up to the viewer whether that was a “good” half of basketball (me: eh), but what I meant by that prediction was most dramatic and consequential finish of any game. Feels very much in play.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: This is the Heat’s pace. This is the Heat’s preferred style of a physical half-court game. This is the Heat’s gym. And yet, the Nuggets still hold a narrow 55-51 lead at halftime despite Miami closing out both the first and second quarters strong. Not a bad place to be for Denver. Just two quarters from moving a win away from the title.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Halftime musings: Aaron Gordon went beast mode. Joker did Joker things. And rest of team did … pretty much nothing of note. Yet Nuggets up 55-51 heading to locker room.
(7:38 p.m.): MPJ with a tough finish. Entire Nuggets bench stood up to give him love. — Mike Singer
And one (7:24): Yes, that’s Aaron Gordon calling for an iso. Yes, that’s Aaron Gordon euro-stepping his way to an and-one. What a game for Gordon right now. The Nuggets have their third for this one. — Matt Schubert
(7:19 p.m.): Nikola Curry — Bennett Durando
(7:18 p.m.): Jokic hits a 3 from Boca Raton.– Matt Schubert
All about the D (7:18 p.m.): Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are a combined 4 of 10 to start the game. Not bad. Also not great. The Nuggets are getting by because of their work on the defensive end right now. This is the evolution of a championship team: Being able to win in multiple ways. 30-30 w/7:50 left in the second quarter. — Matt Schubert
Non-Jokic survival (7:15 p.m.): A one-point Heat lead to start the second quarter is now a tie game despite Nikola Jokic sitting all 4 minutes, 10 seconds. As always, that has to be considered a win for Denver. — Matt Schubert
AG time? (7:14 p.m.): Aaron Gordon has splashed a pair of 3s. Huge in this rock fight of a first half. It’s a first-to-70 kind of night, I fear. Along those lines, I can’t believe the Nuggets still haven’t had a game where they’ve really controlled the tempo and out-raced the Heat in transition. — Bennett Durando
Back on the bench (7:11 p.m.): Turn down the alarms. Jokic is back on the bench. — Matt Schubert
Jokic watch (7:09 p.m.): Nikola Jokic appears to have left the bench for treatment after rolling his right ankle midway through the first quarter. Not a great development to say the least. — Matt Schubert
FIRST QUARTER THOUGHTS
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Let’s get physical. The refs are clearly uninterested in calling fouls tonight. This one is going to be a grinder, which probably plays into the Heat’s hands. It’s 21-20, Heat after one quarter, with Jimmy Butler’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer giving him nine points in the first quarter.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Got only two words for those 12 minutes of basketball. UG LY.
Jordan rules (7 p.m.): Couple of timeouts so far. The most vocal from my perch? Looked like it was DeAndre Jordan. — Mike Singer
Defensive clinic (6:58): Nikola Jokic is doing an excellent job of poking the ball away from drivers. The knock nationally was the Joker’s defense. Right now, he’s looking just fine on that end. After Bruce Brown knocks down a 3, it’s 18-11 Nuggets with 2:06 left in the first quarter. — Matt Schubert
(6:55 p.m.): Bruce Brown coming in for MPJ, whose struggles continue. He’s doing the right things — attacking closeouts, taking it off the dribble — but not finding it yet. — Mike Singer
(6:54 p.m.): We’re now at four Michael Porter Jr. shot attempts and four misses. The slump continues for MPJ, who now takes a seat. — Matt Schubert
During the timeout (6:49 p.m.): For what it’s worth, looked like DeAndre Jordan was spending that timeout asking a police officer on the court to eject a heckling fan sitting front row on the baseline. Not sure if it was anyone famous. Everyone remains in their seats for now. — Bennett Durando
(6:49): Bam Adebayo already has four shots in this game. The Heat are clearly making Jokic work on the other end. PLEASE add this to above — Matt Schubert
Feeling out (6:47 p.m.): A pair of misses from Nikola Jokic on paint touches that are usually gimmies. The Nuggets are 2 for 7 from the field to start things out. The Heat (3 of 8) aren’t shooting much better. It’s 7-7 at the first timeout of the game. — Matt Schubert
Watch out for KCP (6:45 p.m.): I think that early corner 3 for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was crucial. His offensive struggles in this series have been far less documented than MPJ’s, but they’re looming over KCP after three games. — Bennett Durando
MP No J (6:42 p.m.): Two looks for Michael Porter Jr. near the hoop. Two bricks. Not great, Bob. — Matt Schubert
Game 4 predictions
Mike Singer, Nuggets reporter: Despite Game 3’s interior domination, the Nuggets’ 3-point shooters continued to struggle. Michael Porter Jr., and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, looking at you. Unless that changes, think there’s a good chance we head back to Denver knotted at 2-2. In fact, that’s my prediction. Heat 104, Nuggets 96
Matt Schubert, sports editor: One would think Jimmy Butler is due for a big game. If it’s going to happen, it probably has to be tonight if the Heat has any hope of winning this series. Still, even vintage Jimmy Buckets isn’t enough to do the job alone. Can the the Nuggets maintain the defensive intensity they displayed in Game 3? Can one of Michael Porter Jr. or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope break out of their slumps? Can Denver really get another transcendent performance from Nikola Jokic AND Jamal Murray? If the answer to two of those last three questions is yes, the Nuggets are taking a 3-1 series lead back to Denver. Pick: Nuggets 112, Heat 105
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Going to climb onto a very lonely limb and say Michael Porter Jr. goes out and has his best game out of the series. Sadly, that probably also only happens because the Nuggets get down early and have to start chucking it from deep earlier than anybody would like. The Heat, backs against the wall, play their best game of the series, send us back to Denver at 2-2, and … probably start sliding downhill from there. Miami’s got at least one more A-to-A-minus game in them. Wednesday wasn’t it. Heat 111, Nuggets 109, OT.
Pre-game updates
Your ESPN talking head picks…Michael Wilbon: Heat
Jalen Rose: Heat
Stephen A. Smith: Heat
— Matt Schubert
Nuggets’ Michael Malone before NBA Finals Game 4: “Michael Porter is not coming out of the lineup”
MIAMI — The question wasn’t about Michael Porter Jr. — it wasn’t even about present day — but Michael Malone has a way of segueing any news conference topic into the real message he wants to get across.
In this unprompted example: his trust in the struggling Porter.
“Right now, people want Michael Porter out of the lineup,” Malone said before Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night. “Michael Porter is not coming out of the lineup, man.” Read more…
Nuggets-Heat Game 3: Must reads
Nuggets’ Jamal Murray playing through “nasty” wound on left hand
MIAMI – It’s a good thing history isn’t fragile.
As Jamal Murray walked onto the podium ahead of Thursday’s practice, his left hand was wrapped in protective tape to cover a nasty floor burn he suffered in Wednesday’s Game 3 victory.
During the open portion of practice, most of Murray’s time was spent dribbling two basketballs at once. After 30 minutes, he unwrapped his hand and showed the wound to several courtside reporters.
“It’s nasty,” he said of the raw skin exposed at the base of his left palm, which is Murray’s non-shooting hand. Read more…
MIAMI — Nikola Jokic has one foot in Bam Adebayo’s nightmares and the other on the Larry O’Brien Trophy. And you’re worried about Michael Porter Jr.’s feelings? Now?
If the Nuggets gotta step on MPJ’s ego in order to reach the summit, so be it.
The best move Denver coach Michael Malone made in Game 3 of the NBA Finals was shortening Porter’s window while extending the Nuggets’ rotation. When The Christian Braun Express rolls in from out of nowhere with that much smoke, you ride that puppy ‘til the coal runs out.
“I loved our energy, our effort, our urgency, our discipline,” Malone said after the Nuggets nabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. “I thought we were where we needed to be (Wednesday). We’ll have to be even better come Friday evening.” Read more…
Kiszla: Why is America last to realize what world knows? Nikola Jokic is best hooper on the planet.
MIAMI — The NBA is Nikola Jokic’s world, and we’re just lucky to live in it. While America has been slow to fall in love with the Joker, he’s winning hearts from Nairobi, Kenya, to Belgrade, Serbia, where savvy basketball fans aren’t afraid to stand up and applaud him as the best player on the planet.
So let’s toast him with a glass of Rakija, a Serbian brandy as sweet as the 32 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists Jokic dropped on Miami on Wednesday night to lead the Nuggets to the most crucial victory in franchise history.
From Wilt Chamberlain to Michael Jordan, the NBA Finals have never witnessed a triple-double of the size and scope as this performance by Jokic.
But forget the numbers. All that matters to him is the W. Read more…
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