⏱️How it unfolded
The score against the pace we expected, quarter by quarter.
The score, against the pace we expected
The Heat got 16 points ahead of the pace we expected in the second quarter and stayed there.
Where it moved
▲ MIA better than we expected
▼ DEN better than we expected
The second quarter was where it moved most, 10 points better than our numbers for the Heat.
⚖️What decided it
Why the Heat won, and why the Nuggets did not.
From the game
Could not get to the line, 23 free throws to their 39- Gave up second chances, sixteen offensive rebounds to their seven
Key battles
🏀Good plays, bad plays
The plays that went each side's way, and the ones each side did to itself.
Heat
Good plays
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run stretched a 6-point lead to 14
Q1 6:48 · MIA 18-4 DEN
Bad plays
- Technical
Brian Grant Double Technical Foul. Juwan Howard gains possession.
Q1 0:09 · MIA 21-16 DEN
Nuggets
Good plays
- 8-0 run
A 8-0 run cut a 13-point deficit to 5
Q1 2:57 · MIA 19-14 DEN
Bad plays
Nothing costly of their own making.
📊The numbers
| MIA | DEN | |
|---|---|---|
| 52% | Shooting from the field | 35% |
| 5 | Threes made | 0 |
| 42% | Three-point accuracy | 0% |
| 18 | Free throws made | 24 |
| 52 | Rebounds | 52 |
| 7 | Offensive rebounds | 16 |
| 23 | Assists | 9 |
| -1 | Points in the paint | -1 |
| 9 | Fast break points | 2 |
| 9 | Points off turnovers | 12 |
| 14 | Turnovers | 13 |
| 5 | Steals | 8 |
| 8 | Blocks | 2 |
