Nikola Jokic delivered a dominant performance with 33 points, 16 assists, and 15 rebounds, securing his fifth triple-double of the season as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 122-112 on Wednesday night, marking their 11th consecutive regular-season win over Miami.
Jokic was highly efficient throughout the game, making 12 of his 18 field goal attempts. He completed his triple-double by grabbing an offensive rebound with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter, showcasing his versatility and impact on both ends of the court. His playmaking was exceptional, dishing out 16 assists to set up his teammates and control the flow of the offense.
The Nuggets built a substantial lead, going up by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter. Aaron Gordon provided strong support with 24 points, contributing to Denver’s balanced offensive attack. The team’s cohesion and execution kept Miami at bay for most of the game, with the Nuggets improving to 4-0 at home this season.
Miami made a late surge, cutting the deficit to eight points with just 43 seconds left on the clock. However, Jamal Murray stepped up and sank a pair of free throws to secure the victory for Denver, preventing any last-minute drama. This resilience highlighted the Nuggets’ ability to close out games under pressure.
This win extends Denver’s dominance over Miami in regular-season matchups, as the Heat have not won a game in Denver since November 30, 2016. Notably, Miami did manage to beat the Nuggets in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals, but Denver went on to win the series in five games for their only championship, adding historical context to this rivalry.
For Miami, Norman Powell led the scoring with 23 points, but the team struggled with the absence of Bam Adebayo, who exited after the first quarter due to a left foot injury. The Heat will assess his status on Thursday. Miami was also outrebounded by a significant margin of 61-38, which played a crucial role in their defeat and highlighted their challenges in the paint.
Both teams now look ahead to their next matchups. The Heat will start a four-game homestand on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets, while the Nuggets will host the Golden State Warriors on the same night. The personal dynamics added an interesting layer, as Heat coach Erik Spoelstra described facing Nuggets coach David Adelman as a ‘surreal’ experience due to his close relationship with the Adelman family.