The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, the two teams competing in the 2023 NBA Finals, squared up in a heavyweight rematch on Thursday night. In a perfect world, the Heat would have a full squad to attempt to upset the club that defeated them in the Finals. Both Kevin Love and Tyler Herro were nursing ailments, so they were both absent. Nevertheless, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler helped the Heat stay competitive for the most part on their way to a 103-97 loss to the defending champion.
Watching the Heat attempt to rise to the occasion when playing a better team is always enjoyable. Their ability to outperform their weight class stems from their execution, unity, and meticulousness. And with the Heat center pinning his team’s defense at such a high level, Adebayo is credited by Nuggets star and current Finals MVP Nikola Jokic for being the defensive team’s pivot.
