Jokic starts the final series with a triple-double, “Nuggets” take the first victory – Basketball – Sportacentrs.com

Mile-high Denver hosted an NBA Finals game for the first time since Colorado State had not played beyond the conference finals since the ABA’s merger with the NBA. In the last ABA season in 1976, the Nuggets lost to the New Jersey Nets 2-4 in the final series.

Denver took control of the game early on. The closest the Heat were able to close the gap in the second quarter was six points. Even without giving up the initiative of the game, “Nuggets” went towards the victory with 104:93, setting the tone for the final series with a convincing victory.

The final stage for the leaders of the Nuggets, who had never played under such bright lights in their club careers, did not turn out to be so bright as to make their knees tremble. Serbian center Nikola Jokic tallied double figures in three stats. Jokic has 27 points, 14 assists and ten steals. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray poured in 26 points and 10 assists.

Nikola Jokic records a triple-double in his 1st ever Finals game as Denver takes Game 1!

27 PTS
14 AST
10 REB
W

Game 2: Sunday, 8pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/ilmwGaflED

— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2023

Mike Malone only used eight players in the winning rotation. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter had 16 and 14 points, respectively, for the two leaders. On the other hand, Bruce Brown added ten from the bench.

Bem Adebayo in the Miami “Heat” team vigorously tried to match Jokic with productivity from his side. Florida’s center had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Jimmy Butler, meanwhile, had fired his powder in the previous round and started the final with more modest accuracy, scoring 13 points.

Miami point guard Gabe Vincent scored 19 points in the first game of the Finals, while Haywood Highsmith added 18 points off the bench and Kyle Lowry had 11 points.

The second match of the final series will take place in Denver on Monday night. The game starts at 3:00.

Final series