Kevin Love observed Game 6 and Game 7 versus the Boston Celtics from the Miami Heat’s sideline, wearing home white and road black. He also watched Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Denver but didn’t play. For Game 2, the Heat brought Love off the bench and put him in the starting lineup, which helped them establish a 21-10 lead in the first quarter.
Love couldn’t stop Nikola Jokić, who scored an impressive 41 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Also, Love didn’t lead Miami in scoring, but his size was valuable against Denver’s offense. Love contributed 6 points and 10 rebounds, helping Miami’s scoring attack by creating more space on the floor. The Heat made 17-of-35 3-pointers and won 111-108, tying the championship series at 1-1.
An Exciting Start
Max Strus made his first three-pointers after missing all his shots in Game 1. Gabe Vincent, the Heat’s top point guard, scored 23 points and made 4 out of 6 three-point attempts. Duncan Robinson scored 8 points in the first minute of the fourth quarter, changing the momentum of the game.
Miami dominated the final quarter, making only one missed shot in the first 7 minutes and going on a 12-4 run. Bam Adebayo’s layup and free throw gave the Heat a 104-93 lead, their largest since the first quarter. Also, the game built up to an exciting start. There is no denying it.
Locking Horns in Intermission
Both teams erased large deficits in the second half, as the pace slowed down. Miami’s defense became more physical, especially Adebayo against Jokić. Miami adjusted by sending multiple defenders to guard Jokić and limited Denver’s shooters from making an impact. Also, despite a highlight play in the first half, Denver struggled against Miami’s aggressive defense in the second half.
Jokić scored points, but the Nuggets’ scoring wasn’t consistent. Murray had a strong performance in the second quarter, while Caldwell-Pope had a quiet game. Porter Jr. struggled with shot selection and defense, making mistakes on defense and leaving Vincent open for shots. Also, after a quiet first half their pace picked up.
Adebayo the Wonder
Adebayo deserves credit for his outstanding performance on both ends of the court. He scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while also defending against Jokić’s strong plays near the basket. Adebayo’s scoring efficiency has fluctuated throughout the playoffs, but when he attacks the basket aggressively, it benefits the Heat’s pursuit of the championship. Butler contributed 7 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, making a three-pointer from the corner and two baskets off the dribble in the midrange. Moreover, it is a rather incredible performance from the young and upcoming star.
The Third Game
The third game of the series will take place in Miami on Wednesday. It is likely that Love will continue to start for the Heat, replacing Caleb Martin, who performed well in the previous round. Martin was unwell but still managed to play 21 minutes and score 3 points. Playing at home gives the Heat an advantage, as shooters are more familiar with the court. Additionally, Martin will have more time to recover, and there is a possibility that Tyler Herro, a scoring guard, will return. This means that the series is still far from being decided.
Let us see what happens in the final game. Things are looking really heated up now and fans are gearing up for a fantastic performance. Also, this season deserves a nail-biting finish.
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