The Miami Heat began their three game road trip as they made their first stop at the Pepsi Center against the Denver Nuggets. In the last season, the Heat and the Nuggets tied their season series. Heading into the game, the Heat will have to find a win on the road, despite not having Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, and Justise Winslow.
In the first quarter, Hassan Whiteside and Kenneth Faried would score the first points for Miami and Denver respectively, followed by an exchange of three-pointers from Luke Babbitt and Jameer Nelson. Emmanuel Mudiay and Danilo Gallinari got themselves on the board with a few baskets for Denver, while Goran Dragic helped Whiteside on the scoring end for Miami. With Denver leading 15 to 13, Miami would tie the game six times until Nikolai Jokic and Jamal Murray would put the Nuggets in front. Tyler Johnson would end the first quarter with a buzzer beating slam dunk. At the end of the first quarter, Denver led 30 to 28.
In the second quarter, Wilson Chandler got himself on the board with a pair of baskets for the Nuggets, while Miami answered back with a three-pointer from Babbitt and an easy fast break dunk from Wayne Ellington. Ellington would also tie the game at 36 for Miami with a three-pointer, followed by giving them the lead with a layup. By this time, the Heat were on a ten to two run. Miami’s scoring increased to fifteen, thanks to their defense, mainly stealing the ball and disrupting the Denver offense. The Heat continued their scoring run until Faried ended the scoring run with a bucket and an extra point. With the Heat leading 49 to 41, Gallinari, Murray and Nelson cut Miami’s lead to five, but Whiteside and Dragic kept the Heat’s lead in tact heading into halftime. Miami led 52 to 47.
Into the third quarter, Jusuf Nurkic would get Ahimself on the board for the Nuggets, followed by a basket from Gallinari. The Heat responded with scoring from Whiteside, free throws from Dragic, and a three-pointer from Rodney McGruder. Josh McRoberts would also get to the free throw line, making a pair of baskets for the Heat. Nelson would make free throws for Denver as well. Whiteside and Ellington carried the scoring load as the Nuggets looked to break open Miami’s lead. Jokic would tie the game at 71 for the Nuggets, while on an 18 to 4 scoring run. Denver would end the third quarter on a 21 to 6 run as they led 80 to 75.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Miami answered back on a 17 to 4 run, led by Ellington, James Johnson, and Tyler Johnson, putting Miami ahead 92 to 84. Gallinari would end the scoring end for the Nuggets with a three-pointer, followed by another basket from Nelson. Whiteside would make a pair of hook shots for Miami, followed by a basket from James Johnson and a three-pointer from Ellington as Denver called timeout. With the Heat leading 101 to 91, Murray and Nelson would try to rally Denver back in the game, but the defense of Whiteside and the free throw scoring from James and Tyler Johnson led Miami to a 106 to 98 victory.
After some tough losses against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Boston Celtics at home, Miami finds a much needed win on the road. One of the many factors that helped Miami get this much needed victory was their defense. The Heat had a total of 14 steals and 7 blocks, much of which led to transition baskets.
”I like this group, I like the toughness that they’re building,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ”Road wins are gratifying because they’re tough. They’re tough anywhere you go.”
Another factor for the Heat’s victory would have to be their offense. Miami had some much needed scoring from Ellington, an improving Luke Babbitt, plus Tyler and James Johnson as they helped out Dragic and Whiteside. Miami are getting back a few players from injury, but are still waiting on the return of Josh Richardson, Justise Winslow, and Dion Waiters.
For the Heat, Wayne Ellington led the way with 22 points, Tyler Johnson with 18 points, Goran Dragic made 16 points, Luke Babbitt with 11 points, James Johnson made 10 points, and Hassan Whiteside with double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds.
For the Nuggets, Wilson Chandler, Jameer Nelson, and Danilo Gallinari all had 17 points each, Kenneth Faried made 10 points, and Nikola Jokic with a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The next game for the Heat is when they visit the Utah Jazz. That game starts tonight at 8:30pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA League Pass.
The Heat Check Magazine 