NBA: Jamal Murray’s triple-double and Nikola Jokic’s triple-double help Denver Nuggets defeat Miami Heat 2-1

With a 109-94 victory in game three of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, the Denver Nuggets established a 2-1 lead and restored their home-court advantage. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic completely destroyed the Miami Heat. Both players had triple-doubles.

Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, had a triple-double performance in the NBA Finals, with 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Murray finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Two players recording triple-doubles in the same game was a first for any Finals squad.

The Heat are going to have a difficult time if coach Erik Spoelstra cannot come up with a strategy before Friday’s game four. Miami just was unable to handle the 6 foot, 11-inch (2.11m) Jokic.

Jokic made NBA history by being the first player to record 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Finals game, but he showed little enthusiasm in his accomplishment.

“Honest to God, not much. I’m really happy we got a victory,” he stated.

“It was a big one for us just because they won in our arena, so we just didn’t want to go down 2-1,” he said.

“I just think we were more locked in and focused,” The next game must be won; that is our focus.

The Nuggets delivered the sort of commanding performance that coach Michael Malone expected in reaction to Miami’s victory in Denver on Sunday, allaying any concerns that could have surfaced after that defeat.

The first quarter was evenly matched and finished 24-24 because to Kyle Lowry of Miami’s spectacular turnaround, fadeaway, and jump jumper.

Jokic almost had a triple-double before halftime after collecting 14 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in the first two quarters. However, the Heat failed to stop Murray, who scored 20 points in the first half.

The Miami Heat struggled to make accurate shots in the paint, missing 16 of their 25 tries, which helped the Nuggets lead 53-48 at the half.

Denver, though, grabbed control of the game early in the third and soon jumped out to an 11-point lead. Miami failed to find the defensive solutions or the attacking power to retake the lead in the match.

With 8:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, Denver had increased their advantage to 21 points. Although Miami cut the gap as the Nuggets slowed down, a third consecutive defeat on their own floor gives Spoelstra much to think about.

Bam Adebayo scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler led Miami with 28 points.