2023 NBA Finals: Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat in Game 4, move within 1 win of 1st-ever title
Aaron Gordon steps up with 27 points for the Nuggets, who take a 3-1 series lead going into Game 5 on Monday in Denver.
Basketball
The 47-year wait might finally be over for the Denver Nuggets.
Denver is one win away from capturing its first-ever championship after beating the Miami Heat 108-95 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals to take a 3-1 series lead on Friday (10 June).
It was Aaron Gordon’s turn to step up on this night, leading the Nuggets with 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting along with seven rebounds and six assists.
Nikola Jokic chimed in with 23 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocks while Jamal Murray had 15 points and 12 assists - his fourth straight game with at least 10 assists, a Finals streak held longer only by Magic Johnson.
Bruce Brown also had 21 points off the bench - 11 in the fourth quarter - for the Nuggets, who host Game 5 on Monday.
“We’re just ready to win the championship,” Murray said. “We have the tools to do it. It’s been on our minds for a while.
“We’re just locked in. I don’t think you have to overthink it. We’re just dialed in, ready to win.”
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Denver coach Michael Malone had singular praise for Gordon.
“Aaron did it all for us tonight, he really did,” Malone said. “And we’ve seen that in four games in the Finals where Aaron has that moment where he has carried us offensively.
“He made 3s tonight obviously which is a good thing, but I couldn’t be more proud of Aaron Gordon and his impact across the board tonight.”
Said Gordon, “We have guys on this team who can step up, night in and night out. Sometimes it’s not going to be your night, sometimes it is going to be your night.
“It’s just wanting to be great for my team-mates. I know my team-mates need me and just doing it for my brothers.”
Jimmy Butler had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Miami, which made only eight 3-pointers.
History does not bode well for the Heat, only the second eighth seed in history to reach the Finals. Teams with a 3-1 lead have won 35 of the last 36 Finals.
“All we are focused on is getting this thing back to Miami,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.