Heat Fall To Nuggets

     It was a rematch of the 2024 NBA Finals as the Miami Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets 103-97 at Ball Arena on Thursday night. The Heat have not played at this venue since their 2022-23 season ended when they fell in Game 5. Miami had their six-game road winning streak snapped. 

     Denver(41-19) compiled a 25-11 spurt to begin the contest and were ahead 36-20 after one quarter. Miami(33-26) battled back and trailed 56-51 at halftime. 

     The Nuggets went on an 18-7 run late in the third quarter and led 83-70 at the end of the frame. The Heat had a 13-3 run and trailed 97-93 with 1:18 left in the fourth quarter, however they never led in the game. 

     Jimmy Butler composed 21 points and seven rebounds for Miami. Bam Adebayo had 22 points and eight rebounds in the defeat. Terry Rozier contributed 19 points and Caleb Martin dropped in 13 points. 

     Denver had a game-high 30 points along with 11 rebounds from Michael Porter, Jr. Nikola Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 18 points each.