The Denver Nuggets clinched a 108-95 win over the Miami Heat in today’s Game 4 at the Kaseya Center. Now the Nuggets are one win away from their first NBA championship with their 3-1 series lead.
Nikola Jokic, the star player for the Nuggets, showcased an impressive performance. Jokic scored 23 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, provided four assists, made three steals and blocked three shots. Additionally, power forward Aaron Gordon had his best playoff performance to date. Gordon contributed 27 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Nuggets are in a more favorable position for Game 5 based on historical statistics. Throughout the NBA playoffs, teams that have been ahead with a 3-1 series lead have a record of 267 wins and only 13 losses.
Furthermore, teams with a 3-1 advantage have an outstanding record of 35 wins and only one loss in the NBA finals. The only exception was Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. The Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors and ultimately won the 2016 championship.
Game 5 will take place on Monday at the Ball Arena in Denver at 8:30 p.m. ET. If they keep up their current form, the Nuggets might have the opportunity to seize the series victory in front of their home crowd.
The Nuggets had control of the entire game
After losing Game 2 on their home court last Monday, the Nuggets made a strong comeback by winning two consecutive games in Miami. Before Game 4, they had also won Game 3 last Thursday with a 109-94 score.
The Nuggets remained in control throughout Game 4, led by Gordon’s outstanding shooting percentage. Gordon made 11 out of 15 shots from the field and 3 out of 4 shots from the 3-point range.
The power forward delivered 16 points during the first half, with 15 of them coming in the second quarter. This performance reflected the Nuggets’ strategy from Game 1, where they took advantage of Gordon’s size matchup against the Heat. At the end of the third quarter, Gordon also landed a corner 3-pointer and extended the Nuggets’ lead to 86-73.
Jokic contributed a double-double to the match with 23 points and 12 rebounds. The Nuggets nearly lost him to an injury early in the first quarter of the game. The center rolled his ankle after he landed on Heat’s shooting guard Max Strus’ foot and had to go to the locker room. He returned shortly after and immediately scored a 3-pointer upon rejoining the game.
Jokic had to leave the game again after getting his fifth personal foul in the fourth quarter. He returned with four minutes left after Miami had taken advantage of his absence and got five points in. Bruce Brown Jr.’s eight points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s 3-pointer helped solidify the Nuggets’ lead to 108-92, ultimately winning them the game.
Point guard Jamal Murray also made his mark in history by becoming the second player to achieve at least ten assists in four consecutive games. The first person who achieved this was legendary former player Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
Small forward Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 25 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Center Bam Adebayo also had a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Strus, point guard Gabe Vincent and small forward Caleb Martin contributed a mere 13 points collectively, which falls short against Denver’s well-rounded offense.