6/20/2023 0 Comments Raptors lineup tonightHe’s showing plenty of faith in a small rookie point guard.ĭid the Nuggets discover something in Game 3, when Braun shook up the series with unexpected energy and gutsy playmaking? Denver hopes so. Nuggets coach Michael Malone sticks with a simple formula: Reward the players who deliver the goods. Rookie Christian Braun emerges as a surprising star in Game 3 with 15 points off the bench. Therefore: A multi-skilled center who finished 1-1-2 in the last three Kia MVP votes is finally flexing on the big stage and confirming what everyone knew or at least suspected about him: He’s real. It’s really a luxury to have a player who not only is as talented as he is, but unselfish and with the IQ he has.” No matter what is thrown at him, he has an answer. Nuggets coach Michael Malone says this is made possible by Jokic’s high IQ: “He sees things before they happen. He’s averaging 33-14-9 on 59% shooting against Miami. Jokic has 11 triple-doubles (out of 18 games) in the postseason, including two in three games in the Finals. Giannis dropped a 50-piece in the elimination game against Phoenix and Steph dropped 3s from all over on his way to the Finals, and saved some for the Celtics. Five years later, LeBron scrubbed himself of that experience by rallying the Cavs from 3-1 down to the Warriors. Dirk took a team of role players and beat the Big Three Heat. Olajuwon carried the Rockets to that first of back-to-back titles for Clutch City, before they added Clyde Drexler. Malone was the difference-maker for the Sixers, who cratered constantly in the playoffs before he arrived in free agency, and famously authored “fo, fo, fo.” Jordan was superb for all six of the Bulls’ titles but the first one was the most impressive. High on that list, among others, are Moses Malone in 1983, Michael Jordan in ’91, Hakeem Olajuwon in ’94, Dirk Nowitzki in ’11, LeBron James in ’16, Giannis Antetokounmpo in ’22 and Stephen Curry in ’23. Seriously, if he continues this way for however many more games this series lasts, he’ll align himself among the best individual postseasons ever. Not only is Jokic chasing a championship, he’s also chasing legends in the process. Will this be the final home game of the season for the Heat? Are the Nuggets due for a stumble? Can anyone stop Jokic?Įven in the modern NBA, a physically dominant center like Nikola Jokic can still rule the paint and control a series. Here are four things to monitor on Friday for Game 4 ( 8:30 ET, ABC). And if that happens, that player better be wearing a Heat uniform, or else this is a wrap. He is clearly the heavy Finals MVP favorite in this series unless and until someone shows him up. Overall, this series has been entertaining in various moments, surprising in other stretches and overwhelming by the greatness of Jokic. Miami isn’t facing elimination and therefore isn’t running out of time there’s no need to rush but the Heat better hurry up. There’s still room for improvement by the lower-seeded team. Those are the talking points, the dominant snapshots of a championship series where the Nuggets are up 2-1 and threatening to seize total control unless the Heat find a way to introduce a fresh new angle. The Nuggets are the more talented team - although to be fair, Miami has heard that line before. Miami is living and dying by the 3-pointer. Jamal Murray had his one poor outing and is over that. Nikola Jokic is assembling a string of historic performances. Here are the developments that might stay permanent. MIAMI - The personality and flavor of the 2023 NBA Finals is finally starting to crystalize and solidify, three games in. What adjustments do the Heat and Nuggets need to make headed into Game 4?
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