Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat: Who has the edge?
Fifth inning proves costly for Oakland
DENVER — As the Denver Nuggets enter their first NBA Finals in franchise history, a breakdown of their matchup against the Miami Heat:
Who has the edge?
— Guards: Maybe Nikola Jokic has inadvertently stolen some of Jamal Murray’s shine, but Denver’s combo guard has been almost unstoppable throughout Denver’s historic playoff run. Far from a bubble phenomenon, Murray’s averaging 27.7 points per game in the playoffs, which is, gasp, more than he averaged when the Nuggets were sequestered in Orlando. The Lakers didn’t have an answer for him when he filleted their backcourt, and outside of Heat star Jimmy Butler, there are no obvious defensive matchups for Murray. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are both scrappy guards, each capable and willing to shoot
OAKLAND – The Oakland A’s first series sweep of the 2023 season will have to come another time.
Starting pitcher James Kaprielian allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings and the A’s offense was unable to fully recover in a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday before an announced crowd of 6,429 at the Coliseum.
The A’s managed just three hits as they finished May with a 6-23 record, marking the second lowest May winning percentage in Athletics history. The A’s went 4-17 (.190) in May 1919.
Kaprielian retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced before he allowed a single to Eddie Rosario with one out in the top of the fifth inning. Ozzie Albies then golfed a low and inside slider from Kaprielian over the right field wall for a 2-0 Atlanta lead.
Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Kaprielian hit Austin Riley with 91 mph sinker to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead. The A’s scored twice in the seventh inning off RBI’s from Ramón Laureano and Carlos Pérez but couldn’t muster any more offense as the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves avoid a series sweep. Oakland won 7-2 on Monday and 2-1 on Tuesday, stringing together back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.
Both wins came as a result of strong pitching and defense, as the A’s allowed just 10 hits and did not commit an error.
Kaprielian struck out four but allowed five hits over 4 2/3 innings. Reliever Ken Waldichuk allowed the other A’s run to the Braves, as he gave up a single to Ronald Acuña Jr. after he walked Michael Harris II.
The A’s had a chance to open the scoring in the third inning off Braves starter Jared
from outside. The Heat is a team made up of more than the sum of its parts, but Denver’s got a significant advantage in the backcourt. Edge: Nuggets.
— Wings: Don’t underestimate Butler, the twoway wing who thrives in the face of doubt. The unquestioned leader of the Heat, Butler is a menace inside the arc, getting downhill and drawing fouls. He’s also the type of competitor who you’ll have to stomp out, twice, before you know you can turn your back. Aaron Gordon will draw the assignment, adding to a murderer’s row of wings he’s had to stymie. Imagine having to stop Kevin Durant and LeBron James, only to be rewarded with Butler.
That’s what Gordon’s looking at. Caleb Martin erupted in the conference finals and had a plausible case as the series’ MVP. Expect Denver’s best perimeter defender, Kentavious CaldwellPope, to try and disrupt his rhythm from 3-point range. Michael Porter Jr.’s going to have a significant advantage over his matchup in terms of size and length. Porter’s 3-point shooting could also zap Miami’s zone. Expect a heavy emphasis on crashing the glass, from Porter and Gordon, given the zone’s vulnerabilities. Edge: Even.
— Big men: Bam Adebayo has the right strength and athleticism to deal with Jokic, but does he have the stamina? Anthony Davis didn’t. Scoff all you want, but Jokic is in elite condition. Capable of clearing
the defensive glass and kick-starting a break the other way, Jokic is at the heart of Denver’s transition offense. It’s one of the preeminent battlegrounds of the series. And if Adebayo is already giving up a few inches to Jokic down low, the Heat better be careful he doesn’t get into foul trouble. There’s a steep drop-off in talent beyond him in the depth chart. Will Miami single cover Jokic or throw double-teams at him? Like a junk ball pitcher, the Heat will toss the kitchen sink at Jokic, varying their looks throughout the series. It might not matter. Edge: Nuggets
— Bench: The Nuggets are expecting Tyler Herro to return sometime in the middle of the series from a broken hand. He’s a sparkplug
scorer who can catch fire off the bench. Beyond that, both Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love are battle-tested, each having played in the Finals before. Duncan Robinson’s 3-point proficiency can turn a game quickly. Denver’s best counter, for most of Miami’s depth, is Bruce Brown. He’ll no doubt see some time on Butler, or whichever Heat starter staggers with its second unit. Does Christian Braun get back in the rotation after sitting Game 4 vs. the Lakers? How much production can Denver expect out of Jeff Green?
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said it’s the Finals, and everything is on the table. Might there be some surprise minutes looming on Denver’s bench? Edge: Even.
— Coaching: Erik Spoelstra is the best coach in the NBA never to win Coach of the Year, and he might not even need that caveat. He might just be the best. Spoelstra’s teams are consistently competitive regardless of who’s on the roster. It was also difficult to dismiss his bravado while promising they’d find a way to seize Game 7 in Boston last round. Malone has
the benefit of the series’ best player, home-court advantage and a massive rest edge. His players lauded their practices leading into Game 1 in that he hammered their conditioning throughout the break. Malone has played out the disrespect card, and that should no longer be a talking point. The Nuggets deserve to be where they are and don’t need anymore motivational gimmicks. Now it’s about executing and making history. Edge: Heat.