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Defense, not offense, is Nuggets' biggest concern headed into Game 3 of NBA Finals

MIAMI − Much has been made of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic’s offense and how the Miami Heat try to defend him.

In Miami’s 111-108 Game 2 victory, tying the NBA Finals at 1-1, Jokic had 41 points but just four assists as the Nuggets fell to 0-4 all-time in the playoffs when Jokic scores 40 or more. His four assists were a playoff-low this season.

While the Heat’s strategy to slow Jokic will continue to be a topic, the Nuggets were still an efficient offensive team through two games. The bigger concern is their defense and the effort on that side of the court.

“If you really want to simplify the first two games, in the first three quarters we have dominated both games,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “The Miami Heat are dominating the fourth quarter.”

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Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) shoots the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green (32) during the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) shoots the ball against Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green (32) during the second half in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

He’s right. In the fourth quarter of the Finals, Miami has outscored Denver 66-45 and has shot 63.9% from the field and 52.4% on 3-pointers.

"How can everybody else help themselves? Communicate, be disciplined,” Malone said. "It starts with the defense. If we defend and rebound, we can get out and run. We had 18 fast-break points in Game 2 − 16 in the first half and 13 in that second quarter.

"We're not getting any runouts in the fourth quarter because we're defending nobody."

Though the Heat were No. 27 in 3-point shooting during the regular season, they have rediscovered their touch that made them the No. 1 3-point shooting team in the 2021-22 regular season. In this season’s playoffs, the Heat are No. 1 in 3-point shooting (39.2%) and made 17-for-35 3s in Game 2.

The Heat have the shooters, too, with Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love. Jimmy Butler keeps teams honest from that range, and there’s the possibility that Tyler Herro, who broke his right (shooting) hand against Milwaukee in Game 1 of their first-round Eastern Conference series, returns against Denver.

The Heat are getting good looks at the rim, too, an indication they have the Nuggets scrambling to catch up with the basketball.

Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) battles for a rebound with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the NBA Finals.
Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) battles for a rebound with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the NBA Finals.

According to NBA.com/stats, the Heat have attempted:

∎ 34 shots, including 26 3-pointers, with the closest defender 6 or more feet away, making 58.8%

∎ 62 shots, including 34 3-pointers, with the closest defender 4-6 feet away, making 53.2%, including 50% of the 3s.

Led by Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Heat put pressure on defenses, and good shooters left open will punish an opponent.

"I would say just be a little bit more aggressive, and I know they got the same amount of open shots they got Game 1 and Game 2, but Game 2, they knocked them down,” Denver's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said. "Be a little bit more aggressive and try to limit threes. … They have got great shooters on their team. We've just got to limit the shot attempts and try to not let them see the ball go in the basket."

Malone wasn’t happy after Game 2, saying Miami outworked Denver and his team didn’t have the effort and discipline required to win a Finals game.

“It was an honest assessment of the game,” he said. “Before I came out and spoke to you guys, I had the same conversation with our players. Never once will I come into a press conference and say something to you that I haven't spoken to our team about.”

On Tuesday, Malone went through video sessions with his players, showing 17 clips that resulted in 40 Miami points. He believes communication and discipline will result in better defense.

“I gave an opportunity for everybody on our team to speak and talk about what they saw on the film," he said. "It was a very honest conversation. Guys owned what they needed to own. …

"What I know about our group is for years now we've handled adversity very well. I have no doubt that (in Game 3) we will be a much more disciplined, urgent team for 48 minutes."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Defense, not offense, is Nuggets' biggest concern headed into Game 3