Getty Image / Justin Edmonds
The Miami Heat were significantly outplayed in Thursday’s game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets. The team lost game 1, 104-93, but it wasn’t as close of a game as the score indicated.
And, if they wanted to avoid going down 2-0, a near death sentence for a team that was already the underdog, the Miami Heat needed to win game 2 in Denver. And, that’s exactly what they did, as they played an excellent fourth quarter before holding off a furious Nuggets charge to win, 111-108.
The fourth quarter was a thing of beauty for Miami, especially the first nine minutes. After getting out to a quick start, the Nuggets led by as many as 15 in the 2nd quarter before the Heat cut it to 57-51 at halftime. The Nuggets extended their lead by 2 to go up 83-75 after three, setting up a monster fourth quarter from the Miami Heat.
The Miami Heat started the 4th quarter 6-6 from the field as reserve Duncan Robinson was incredible. He had 10 points in the first 2:16 of the fourth quarter.
BIG FINISH BY DUNCAN ROBINSON!
HEAT BY 3, 9:44 TO GO ON ABC 🗣 pic.twitter.com/vOvUXPhnYB
— NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2023
After the lead got up to over double digits, the Miami Heat hung on to win.
Jimmy's defense on this final possession 😤
Miami battles their way to victory and ties the series with the Game 2 road win!
Game 3: Wednesday, 8:30 PM ET on ABC pic.twitter.com/llCT65CKZP
— NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2023
The series is now tied at 1 as they head back to Miami for games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday.
In the meantime, the entire NBA world is shooting out their takes about the game. There are some good memes, too.
Spo and Pat Riley after the Heat stole Game 2 pic.twitter.com/ZssZOYJEW6
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 5, 2023
there’s nothing the heat seem to love more than walking into someone else’s house and yelling and flipping over furniture
i love them
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) June 5, 2023
Well shut my mouth. The Heat did it again. When nobody gave 'em a shot, as 9-point 'dogs vs a Denver that had not lost a playoff home game, they hung in then outshot the Nuggets in the 4th quarter. IT'S 1-1 GOING BACK TO MIAMI.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 5, 2023
Oh no Nuggets fans are realizing the Heat are in fact not the same inept and poorly coached franchises they faced earlier in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/mrRq1uIhiI
— Christian Hernandez (@ICanBeYourHerro) June 5, 2023