Jerry Zgoda: Andrew Wiggins said he doesn't know what c…
June 8, 2023 | 2:01 am EDT Update
Michael Pina: Nikola Jokic in the NBA Finals— 33.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists 59.0/44.4/85.7 shooting splits +18
Ryan Blackburn: Jamal Murray on Nikola’s 32-21-10 stat line tonight: “I think it speaks for itself…how many times does he have to do that to get you guys to believe in his game?” “Running out of things to say. He makes the game look easy.” pic.twitter.com/uGC5fAzxWR
Ryan Blackburn: Jamal Murray on a special Nikola Jokić performance: “He just makes the game look easy…his touch, his creativity, his no-look passes, his IQ. I could go down the line. He’s a special, special player.” pic.twitter.com/FVBugPp30N
Ryan Blackburn: Nikola Jokić on his incredible stat line from tonight.” “If we lose, nobody’s going to mention that…I don’t know. It’s just a stat.”
The Heat got off 92 shots, but hit just 37% of them. Denver did most of its damage in the paint, scoring 60 points and outrebounding Miami 58-33. Asked why the Heat were so lackluster, Butler said: “I don’t know. I can’t answer that. Maybe we’re at home. We think we did something. I don’t know. It just can’t happen. It won’t happen again,” he said. “It starts with myself. I have to lock in on the defensive end. I have to go up and get loose balls. I think if I start playing and doing that, then everybody else has to follow suit.”
If the Heat have any chance, and want to avoid a 3-1 deficit heading back to Denver, they must find the firepower to stay close with the Nuggets, or simply choose a preferable poison instead of being picked apart by both Denver stars. “We’re going to get back to the film and figure it out, because we do have to be better guarding both of those guys,” Butler said of Murray and Jokic. “One is the ball-hander and one is the guy that is setting the screen and popping and rolling. It’s not an easy task to do, but if we want to win, we are going to have to figure it out.”
Ryan Blackburn: Jamal Murray on Christian Braun: “He knows what to do to stay on the floor. He’s solid, plays the gaps…he plays with a lot of confidence, like a five-year vet.” pic.twitter.com/oxcNm4uCN7
Katy Winge: Nikola Jokić was asked about the team dinner last night at Jeff Green’s house after this win and his first response was: “He has a nice house.”
