By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Denver Nuggets are leading in their first-ever NBA final series, after a convincing win over Miami Heat at Ball Arena, behind another brilliant game from Nikola Jokic.
The Joker painted a masterpiece, finishing his debut in the Finals with his ninth triple-double in the postseason, with 27 points, 14 assists, and ten rebounds, shooting an impressive 8-12 from the field.
Only Lebron James posted those numbers in the championship games, so it’s clear that Jokic delivered something special. Interestingly, he only shot once in the first quarter and twice in the second, ending the half with historic 10 points and ten assists, with no turnovers.
“That’s the craziest thing about Joker. He can have such a big impact and shoot the ball three times. He doesn’t care at all. He’s just always going to take what the defense gives him,” Michael Porter Jr. said to ESPN.
The biggest question is how the Serbian center can control the game on such a level without insisting on shooting and ending offensive plays on his own, like most NBA superstars?
“I don’t force it. I never force it, I think. A couple of guys had it going, AG was playing really well, and we had an advantage there. I just take whatever the game gives me,” Jokic said after the game.
Denver’s center became only the second player in NBA history to lead both teams in points and assists in his Finals debut after Michael Jordan did it in 1991.
“I learned a long time ago the defense tells you what to do, and Nikola never forces it. If they’re going to give him that kind of attention, he’s going to just pick you apart. Now it’s up to the other guys to step in and make shots,” coach Mike Malone said.