The Denver Nuggets achieved an impressive two-game sweep in South Beach on Friday night at the Kaseya Center against the Miami Heat, winning Game 4 with a score of 108-95. This victory gave them a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
With only one more win needed, the Nuggets are on the verge of claiming their first-ever championship.
History favors the Nuggets, as teams that have held a 3-1 lead in the finals have emerged as champions in 35 out of 36 instances. The only exception was LeBron James’ Cavaliers in 2016, who staged a remarkable comeback against the Golden State Warriors.
Here are four key factors that contributed to the Nugget’s win in Game 4.
Denver Nuggets’ Supporting Cast Stepped Up:
In Game 4, the Denver Nuggets displayed their strength as a cohesive unit rather than relying solely on individual talents. Aaron Gordon emerged as a leader on offense, making significant contributions throughout the game. He led the Nuggets to victory with a game-high 27 points, along with seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Gordon’s remarkable performance included shooting 11-of-15 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, setting a new career-high in playoff points.
Despite Nikola Jokic’s foul trouble, the Nuggets managed to overcome the obstacles. Jokic encountered his fifth foul early in the fourth quarter, forcing him to sit on the bench for a significant portion of the game.
However, Bruce Brown stepped up off the bench and made a notable impact by scoring 21 points. Brown’s performance was crucial in helping the Nuggets withstand the Heat’s pressure and secure the victory. In the fourth quarter alone, he shot 4-of-5 from the field and contributed 11 points.
The Nuggets’ success in Game 4 can be attributed to the exceptional performances of their third option, Aaron Gordon, and bench player, Bruce Brown. Together, they combined for 48 points, outscoring the team’s stars, Jokic and Murray, who totaled 38 points.
The Joker can play defense
Nikola Jokic demonstrated his all-around skills by showcasing strong defense. Despite accumulating five fouls, he made several crucial defensive plays, including three steals and two blocks. Jokic’s defensive performance in Game 4 was exceptional, as it marked only the fifth occurrence throughout the season (and the first in the playoffs) where he achieved at least five combined steals and blocks in a single game. Additionally, Jokic’s seven deflections further highlighted his impact on the defensive end.
Jamal Murphy’s playmaking skills
Despite not having a high-scoring performance, Jamal Murray continued to impress with his playmaking abilities. In Game 4, he dished out 12 assists without committing a single turnover, significantly contributing to the Nuggets’ victory.
The Nuggets point guard made NBA history with his passing, becoming the first player ever with at least 10 assists in their first four career finals games. It was also the first time a player had at least 12 assists with zero turnovers in a finals game since Magic Johnson did it in 1987.
Miami scoring drought continues
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Heat struggled to find support from other players.
Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, the Miami Heat’s starting backcourt, combined for just two points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. They shot 1-of-10 from the field and 0-of-7 from beyond the arc. Furthermore, the Heat attempted only 25 three-pointers in Game 4, which was 10 fewer than in any of the previous three games of the finals. They converted just 32 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc.
Despite encountering challenges, including Jokic’s injury scare, the Denver Nuggets have demonstrated resilience and a team-oriented approach in Game 4. Holding a commanding 3-1 series lead, they are now poised to secure their first-ever championship on their home court come Monday.
