The Denver Nuggets made history, winning their first NBA Finals game in franchise history. They defeated the Miami Heat 104-93, thanks in large part to another triple-double from Nikola Jokic.
Jokic finished with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. He was dominant on both ends of the court, and he was the clear difference-maker in the game.
The Nuggets also got a big game from Jamal Murray, who scored 26 points of his own to go along with six rebounds and 10 assists. Murray and Jokic combined for 53 points, which was more than the Heat scored as a team in the second half.
The Miami Heat had won Game 1 on the road in their previous three playoff series this season, but they were unable to do so against the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets improved to 9-0 at home in the postseason with their victory.
Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 26 points and 13 rebounds, but he received little help from his teammates.
Caleb Martin, Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson combined for a meager six points on 2-of-23 shooting from the field. Strus was particularly cold, missing all 10 of his shots, including 0 for 9 from three-point range.
The Heat's three-point shooting was much more effective against the Celtics, with a field goal percentage of 43.4%. However, in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Nuggets, the Heat shot just 33.3% from beyond the arc, making only 13 of their 39 attempts.
Jimmy Butler also had a quiet game, scoring 13 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and dishing out seven assists.
The Nuggets will host Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 5 (Philippine Time), looking to take a 2-0 series lead.
