The Nuggets lose Nikola Jokic and lose to Miami

How long did the Nuggets’ minutes last in this first quarter. Their defense is not responding, and the Heat substitutes are having fun (41-29). The 2023 NBA champions look tired, as they are slow and overworked.

Only Bruce Brown brings some energy. Then Nikola Jokić wakes up and with him the Nuggets go 16-2. We found the Denver team we know. Except that the Serb injured his knee in the last seconds of the first period (63-63). He won’t be back in the game after the break…

Obviously, with “The Joker” now out, the Heat took advantage of the opportunity to go 11-0 and regain control.

Here again, David Adelman’s troops don’t really have a collective response, only one individual needs to respond: Spencer Jones, who scores three game-winning baskets. But because the Heat are skilled from long range, it doesn’t matter (110-99). The Nuggets didn’t give up, but they didn’t have the weapons to come back in the final quarter and lost 147-123. However, the main point is elsewhere: in the knee of the three-time MVP…

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– Nikola Jokić injured his knee. This is apparently information from the meeting. The Nuggets pivot could match Oscar Robertson’s career triple-doubles, but he played only one half (21 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) due to an injury that occurred after contact with Spencer Jones. After Christian Brown, Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson, will the Nuggets lose another starter? The most important thing of all?

– Overcooked nuggets? Even if the score was tied at halftime, that is, when Nikola Jokić was on the field, one should not believe that Denver was burdened only by the absence of the three-time MVP. Already in the first period, the Nuggets were in trouble, overwhelmed by the pace of the Heat. Would they be tired from the recent travels, absences, but also the high intensity, very close games played in recent days? Because it’s clear that the Heat had too much space, especially on 3-pointers (22/46) and without too many turnovers, to shine.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=8-_Vkan_iL8

How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.