After a lackluster performance in Game 1, the Heat looked like a completely different team in Game 2. They were aggressive on both ends of the court, attacking the rim on offense and playing tough defense on the Nuggets' star players. Jimmy Butler led the way for Miami with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Goran Dragic added 20 points and 6 assists.
But it was the Heat's three-point shooting that made the biggest difference in the game. They hit 18 of 35 attempts from beyond the arc, a blistering 51.4% shooting percentage. Duncan Robinson was the team's most prolific shooter from deep, hitting 7 of 8 three-point attempts en route to 18 points.
The Nuggets, on the other hand, struggled to find their shooting touch from long range. They hit just 11 of 33 three-point attempts, a 33.3% shooting percentage. Jamal Murray led the team with 21 points, but he struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 1 of 6 attempts.
Despite the loss, the Nuggets can take some positives from the game. They showed resilience in the fourth quarter, cutting the Heat's lead to just 3 points with under a minute to play. Nikola Jokic had a strong game, finishing with 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Jerami Grant provided a spark off the bench with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
The series now shifts to Denver for Games 3 and 4, where the Nuggets will look to regain their home-court advantage. The Heat, however, will be riding high after their Game 2 performance and will look to continue their hot shooting from beyond the arc.
The NBA Finals have been a thrilling showcase of two talented teams, and Game 2 was no exception. With the series now tied at 1-1, both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand in what promises to be a closely contested battle for the championship.