The Denver Nuggets drew first blood in the 2023 NBA Finals.
The Nuggets, in their first NBA Finals appearance, bested the Miami Heat, 104-93, on Thursday, June 1, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic led Denver with another triple-double performance, 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists.
Jamal Murray registered 26 points and 10 assists, while Aaron Gordon added 16 points as the Nuggets went up by 24 points at most during the game.
Denver never let go of the lead after outscoring Miami, 29-20, in the first quarter.
After ending the third period down by 21 points, 84-63, the Heat started an 11-point run in the final quarter and cut the lead of the Nuggets down to 10 points, 84-74.
Haywood Highsmith buried the three-point basket that allowed Miami to close the gap, 96-87, with at least two minutes left in the game.
A basket by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, along with a series of charities by Gordon and Jokic, provided Denver with a 15-point cushion, 102-87, that paved the way to their victory in Game One.
Bam Adebayo chipped in 26 points and 13 rebounds while Gabe Vincent finished with 19 points for the Heat.
The Nuggets will seek to grab back-to-back wins in the best-of-seven series as both squads stay put at Ball Arena for Game Two before flying to Miami for the next two games.
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Nuggets rout Heat to draw first blood in NBA Finals