Miami Heat players praise Denver Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The Heat are 2-1 behind in the NBA Finals, and falling behind 70-2 would already be a big hole.

ESPN understands that at least some of Miami's statements do not illustrate their authentic enthusiasm for Denver's stars. But the U.S. understands that the statements are at least partially related to an attempt to "put Joker and Murray to sleep" for Game 2 and shift the pressure in their direction.