MIAMI (AP) — No group arrived into Monday night acquiring authorized fewer factors in the paint for each video game this season than Miami.
Nikola Jokic wasn’t bothered.
The two-time reigning MVP built the most of each and every opportunity, finishing with 27 factors on 12-of-14 capturing and primary the Denver Nuggets earlier the Warmth 112-108 — snapping Miami’s eight-recreation house winning streak.
“Nikola did what he does,” Denver coach Michael Malone mentioned.
Jokic also experienced 12 rebounds and 8 helps for Denver, which shot 58%. The Nuggets moved 5 online games ahead of idle Memphis atop the Western Meeting standings and joined Boston as the only groups to access the 40-gain mark this season.
“He’s a wonderful participant. He would make every person all-around him much better,” Miami’s Max Strus said. “They stepped up and made pictures. Difficult group to defeat. Clearly, they are No. 1 in the West for a cause.”
The Nuggets ended up 29 of 40 inside the paint, fantastic for 58 details. Miami came into the evening permitting an ordinary of 44.9 paint details.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 17, Bruce Brown included 16, Jeff Eco-friendly scored 12 and three Nuggets — Vlatko Cancar, Christian Braun and Thomas Bryant — just about every concluded with 10 factors.
“It speaks to the good quality of our depth,” Malone said.
Jimmy Butler experienced 24 details, 9 assists and 8 rebounds for the Heat. Strus scored 23, Bam Adebayo experienced 19, Gabe Vincent 15 and Jamaree Bouyea extra 10 for Miami.
Denver was without its 2nd- and third-foremost scorers — Jamal Murray (ideal knee irritation) and Aaron Gordon (remaining rib contusion). It was the fifth consecutive sport missed for Murray, and the third in a span of five video games for Gordon.
Malone claimed “hopefully, maybe” they could return in Denver’s activity in opposition to Dallas on Wednesday, the team’s finale prior to the All-Star split.
Brown, who played his faculty ball at Miami, manufactured a 3-pointer with 9:07 left in the third to set Denver up 70-69 — and the Nuggets held the lead the rest of the way. Denver finally led by as many as 10. Miami obtained inside 1 place on 3 events from there.
“People really don’t acquire right here a large amount, primarily due to the fact there’s a great deal of festivities, naturally,” Brown explained. “But they are also a terrific team … glad we obtained the gain.”
It was the 40th double-double of the season for Jokic. Only Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis, with 44, has additional.
Tip-INS
Nuggets: Denver’s 40-18 document matches the greatest 58-video game start off in franchise heritage. The Nuggets also have been 40-18 in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. … Jokic got a complex with 16.7 seconds still left in the half, arguing that he was fouled as he scored. It was his 3rd specialized of the time.
Warmth: It was another near recreation for Miami. The Warmth fell to 20-12 in video games made a decision by five details or fewer. … Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was at the match. … The Warmth do not participate in at house again until March 1. That’ll start out a extend the place 12 of the final 20 Warmth online games are at property. … Kyle Lowry (still left knee soreness) and Victor Oladipo (ankle) remained out. Tyler Herro also skipped the game with a left knee bruise, endured in Saturday’s win at Orlando.
BAM’S Mom
Marilyn Blount, Adebayo’s mother, presented her two-time All-Star son with a ball commemorating the accomplishment in a brief pregame ceremony.
JOKIC VS. JOVIC
Barring an NBA Finals meeting, the planet will have to wait around right until next period for a Jokic vs. Jovic matchup. Heat rookie Nikola Jovic did not play in possibly Miami-Denver match this year. He’s at this time out with a anxiety reaction in his decrease again.
UP Next
Nuggets: Host Dallas on Wednesday.
Warmth: Pay a visit to Brooklyn on Wednesday.
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