Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Miami ends losing streak against Nuggets as Jokić gets hurt, and eight Heatles score in double figures

Nikola Jokić couldn’t play the second half because he was a victim of friendly fire, and the Heat’s assortment of bodies outlasted their vulnerable guests, completing their season series at a split (1-1). Miami’s victory also ended an 11-game losing streak to the Mile High killers that stretched back to the Orlando bubble in 2020.

The Nuggets had nine giveaways through the first 16 minutes, plus defended and hit the glass like they had the South Beach flu. Yet four of them scored between 10 and 21 first-half points, erasing a 15-digit deficit to go into halftime deadlocked at 63. Then Jamal Murray, Spencer Jones and Jonas Valančiūnas carried them as long as they could, but the Heat outscored them by 23 the rest of the way.

Bam Adebayo’s return from back spasms was one of Miami’s big-time reinforcements. He only played eight minutes against Denver on Nov. 5 because of a toe injury, and this time, communication was up to par, so passing and driving lanes were disrupted. It still wasn’t enough to contain Jokić’s 13-point second quarter, as he swerved through schemes for shots through the square and downed two jumpers.

The Heat’s edge subsequently swelled to 27 as Denver could never shape up mentally. Powell, Nikola Jović, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Andrew Wiggins each logged at least four baskets in the second half. The Nuggets even desperately went to a zone, trying to stop the bleeding, and later surrendered midway through the fourth, emptying the bench.

Takeaways:

• The Nuggets went too long treating the game like a meaningless one in December, and the Heat’s intensity on the glass, particularly recovering 10 offensive rebounds in the first half, helped them take 11 extra shots by intermission.  The Heat also got back to pushing the pace, scoring in the 83d percentile in points per 100 transition plays.

• The Heat’s 3-point party (10) in the third pushed them to an 11-point lead going into the fourth, after only six treys in the first half. It continued in the fourth, and they finished with 22, falling three short of setting a franchise record.

• This was the first time in a while that Adebayo has looked like an All-Star. He can be a fluid offensive player when he commits to attacking the lane. He played 21 minutes, totaling 13 points on 50% shooting, with 10 boards and four assists. Seven other Heatles also scored in double figures.

• Jović had some extra vigor for this game, perhaps because Jokić is a teammate on the national Serbian squad. He was strong attacking the basket and tied his career high of five 3-point makes.

• The Heat are 7-0 this season when scoring at least 140 points (147-123).

• Spoelstra was encouraged by the double big lineup, featuring Adebayo and Ware and said there will be possessions that the combo is not aesthically pleasing. They combined for eight offensive rebounds, despite the second half turning into a tuneup.

• The Nuggets’ halftime announcement was that Jokić was questionable to return with a left knee injury after it hyperextended. Jones trampling his foot caused the leg to buckle. Valančiūnas started the second half in his place.