Home Entertainment SUPER SQUAD: Jokic combined with Porter in a ‘devastating’ performance to finish off Beat in a tense fourth quarter when Murray was injured

SUPER SQUAD: Jokic combined with Porter in a ‘devastating’ performance to finish off Beat in a tense fourth quarter when Murray was injured

Entertainment — 03/01/2024

Michael Porter Jr. had 30 points to help pick up the scoring load after Jamal Murray left because of a sprained ankle, and the Denver Nuggets staved off Miami’s fourth-quarter rally to beat the Heat 103-97 on Thursday night.

Porter was 12 of 23 from the floor, including four 3-pointers, and had 11 rebounds to help the Nuggets improve to 5-0 since the All-Star break.

Up 16 in the fourth quarter, Denver saw Miami trim it 99-97 after a floating bank shot by Jimmy Butler with 11 seconds remaining. Nikola Jokic made two free throws to seal it in a game where the Nuggets never trailed.

Jokic finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, ending a streak of four triple-doubles. The two-time NBA MVP scored eight of Denver’s 11 points down the stretch.

Recap: Denver Nuggets outlast Miami Heat in 103-97 win that was dampened by Jamal Murray's injury - Denver Stiffs

Murray left just before halftime after he sprained his right ankle when he landed on Aaron Gordon’s leg after a drive to the basket. Murray has dealt with right hamstring and ankle ailments this season, along with shin splints. He finished with six points.

Bam Adebayo had 22 points and Butler added 21 points for a Heat team that had won five in a row. Miami was without Kevin Love, Tyler Herro and Josh Richardson due to injuries.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, front, is defended by Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

This marked the first meeting between the Heat and Nuggets since they squared off in the NBA Finals last June. The Nuggets beat the Heat in five games for their first NBA crown.

Both teams entered the game on hot streaks. Denver was playing for a second straight night after routing Sacramento.

Big man Thomas Bryant of the Heat, who was a part of Denver’s championship run the previous season, was honored with a pregame ring ceremony by the Nuggets. After receiving his title ring from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during a pregame ceremony at half-court, Bryant exited the arena right thereafter.

Since it was the Heat’s only trip to Denver, the NBA granted Bryant permission to attend the game. On game evenings, suspended players are normally not permitted to attend the arena. Following his involvement in a fight that occurred during a Heat game against New Orleans last week, Bryant completed his three-game ban.