During Wednesday’s NBA action, the Denver Nuggets emerged victorious in a finals rematch against the Miami Heat, securing a 100-88 win that propelled them to the top of the Western Conference standings.
Michael Porter Jr.’s impressive 25-point performance, alongside Aaron Gordon‘s 16 points, played a pivotal role in Denver’s triumph, underscoring the team’s ambitions and capabilities as the playoffs approach. After four months of looking up at others in the Western Conference, Denver finally is alone atop the standings.
“If we can get (the No. 1 seed), sure, we’re going to take it,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “And we’re not going to shy away from that. You know, it was very effective for us last year, having home-court throughout the entirety of the playoffs.”
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic also made significant contributions, with Jokic recording a double-double. The Nuggets’ success is partly attributed to the stellar performance of their core starting five, who have demonstrated their dominance throughout the season.
“When they want to put on the jets, they’ve been able to leave teams behind in the dust,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
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The Miami Heat, grappling with injuries and aiming to improve their playoff positioning, faced another setback despite efforts from Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. The loss deepens their challenge in the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference standings.
Denver’s late-game surge, highlighted by Reggie Jackson‘s critical scoring run, sealed the deal against Miami, showcasing the Nuggets’ ability to execute under pressure.
“They were playing off me, trying to guard the best player in the world – Jokic,” Jackson said.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat Updates
The Nuggets’ strategic runs in the first and third quarters established their dominance, while their strong finish in the fourth quarter exemplified the championship mentality
“Something we always talk about is that your fourth quarter has to be your best quarter,” Malone said. “It’s closing time.”
The Nuggets are set to face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, continuing their pursuit of postseason success. Meanwhile, the Heat will seek to rebound against the Detroit Pistons in their upcoming games on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
