"We changed direction, we wanted to steal one game out there and we succeeded," Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone said Thursday morning at a press conference. The change in direction he talked about was giving responsibility and the ball to Jamal Murray. In previous games, Denver's work plan was to give Jokic balls in the penalty area and from there he ran the game.
After that didn't work out in the second game and Miami neutralized Denver, the Nuggets changed course. Murray will lead the ball and Jokic will go inside the post post. "Once the defense focuses on Murray with the ball, Nicolas gets into the post position and something good can happen, half distance Murray scores automatically or passes to Gordon and Porter's cuts or a ball to Nicolas inside."
What you missed from Game 3 📰
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 8, 2023
Malone said at the end and emphasized the significant point of physical advantage. 60 points in the paint compared to Miami's 34, 58 rebounds, 13 offensively, compared to Miami's 33. "I think it's the best game in the series, the most complete. We won the rebound, we scored well, we gave a lot and Miami shot 31% from three against us. So yes, I love our energy and effort."
Throughout the game the score was as close as a marathon, the tactics worked overtime. Every move that happened and every adjustment made was met with a counter-match. In the third quarter, Denver went on a sprint, and from there Miami was unable to catch up and make the necessary adjustments. Butler and Bam failed to hit the shots they were getting, and the game ended with an impressive win for the Colorado team and Miami's third consecutive loss at home, which was a fortress until the series against Boston.
Great game from the fellas.
Coach 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/edZBfmuoVr
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 8, 2023
Jokic and Murray did everything they wanted and finished the game with special stat lines. Jokic scored 32 points on 57% shooting from the field, along with 21 rebounds and 10 aces. Murray finished with 34 points on 54.5% shooting from the field along with 10 rebounds and 10 aces. They are the first duo in league history to complete a triple-double with more than 30 points.
"It's a great duo, they fit each other, they can score in all sorts of ways. Whether it's hand-offs, blocks, and more. They involve the whole group. We have to expect that from them, they are elite players, and that's what we expect from players in the final," complimented opponent coach Erik Spoelstro. "They beat us in battles for our identity – the hustle, the no-ball movement and the fight for lost balls. It took us out of the game.
We shouldn't be surprised at this point 🃏
32 PTS
21 REB
10 AST
2 BLK pic.twitter.com/mWO53ll7bs
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) June 8, 2023
Joining the wonderful duo is child prodigy, Christian Brown, who is in his first season in the league but plays like a veteran. "He came in with poison in his eyes and with total confidence in his game," Malone complimented, "I have to give him credit for that." From Denver's fifth game against Phoenix, the rookie scored a combined 15 points (7 games) and today he took to the court in Miami and scored 15 with one miss.
"It's really easy to play with guys like that," Brown said, "They find me for easy shots and all I have to do is shoot."
This series so far has been a pendulum, in every game the opponent made the necessary adjustments and came out with a win. Denver is two wins away from its first ring, and tonight it did chess. At 1-3 in the series, 80% finished the series winning. Another Miami loss at home would be critical for the rest of the series. Now it remains to be seen what Miami's reaction will be and whether Denver will go in the direction of a matte.
Jokic and Gordon arrest Adebayo, Photo: AP
Not just for mice: Jokic and Murray are the first duo in history to do a triple double 30+/10+/10+.
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Eudonis Haslem entered tonight at the end of the game and became the oldest player of all time to play in the final. He is 42 years and 364 days old.
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