Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Nuggets overwhelmed the Heat in Miami

The Nuggets vanquished the Heat in Jimmy Butler’s return from a seven-game suspension. Jamal Murray lit up everything in front of him. And Nikola Jokić had his 17th triple-double of the season.

“I thought our guards did a hell of a job on [Tyler] Herro and [Duncan] Robinson, especially,” coach Michael Malone said after the game.

From the start, the visitors had the Heat on their heels. Murray had seven of the team’s first 12 points. Jokić finished four baskets from five feet and closer and had five assists. And Russell Westbrook made a shot in each corner, plus broke down Nikola Jović for a layup on the right side. Defensively, they were slow to get to the perimeter, but the Heat folded, making just two of eight from deep.

The second quarter started with the Nuggets up 30-24. Then Murray took over, hitting five of six baskets from short, mid and long range. And Aaron Gordon added 10 points via freebies, jumpers and a catch-and-go in the dunker spot. 

On the other side, the Heat’s 3-point shooting kept faltering at a 20% clip. But Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Nikola Jović and Jaime Jaquez Jr. made multiple field goals. 

At halftime, the Nuggets were up 67-55. They were up in three key areas: paint points 36-34, fastbreak points 10-7, and second-chance points 3-0.

Subsequently, Denver got sloppy on defense as Butler got loose on two rim attacks and two jumpers. They also permitted Adebayo, Jović and Robinson to make multiple shots. Yet, their saving grace was that Jokić nailed five freebies, a trey and two baskets in the restricted area. Additionally, Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. connected on three 3-pointers.

The fourth quarter began with the Nuggets on top 98-86. Jokić and Westbrook rested all of the period as the squad kept exposing the Heat from deep.

The Nuggets won 133-113. They had 58 paint points, 17 on the break, seven via second chances, 10 off turnovers and 42 from the bench.

The Heat had 62 paint points, 17 on the break, eight via second chances, four off turnovers and 47 from the bench.

Jokić handled the on-court interview. He said, “The defense was where it’s supposed to be.” When asked about his elbow, he said it was a little bit sore but better than Thursday. Jokić missed Wednesday’s game against Houston because he hurt his right elbow while warming up.

Takeaways:

• The Nuggets’ attack was in the half-court for 79.2% of the time. They scored 128.6 points per 100 plays, good enough for the 99th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.

• The Nuggets had 35 assists to six turnovers. This was the Nuggets’ second-best game taking care of the ball this season. 

• Malone said Christain Braun was awarded the defensive player of the game badge.

• Jokić played 31 minutes. He’s played less time in only five games this season. He finished with 24 points, on nine of 12 attempts, with 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal and two turnovers.

• Jokić’s over-the-head, no-look pass to Gordon cutting behind him on the break for a dunk was the play of the game.

• Julian Strawther was effective in the fourth quarter, seizing the baseline for a layup and making three triples.

• The Nuggets never trailed after the first few minutes.