The Denver Nuggets are on the cusp of their first NBA championship, dominating the Miami Heat in Game 4 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Their 108-95 victory Friday night showcased their offensive firepower and resilience, putting them within one win of making franchise history.
Denver led by a slim four points at halftime, but they exploded in the third quarter with a 19-10 run, establishing a 13-point advantage. While Miami briefly rallied, the Nuggets responded with another surge to close the quarter with an 86-73 lead.
The Heat's desperate attempts to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter were thwarted by Denver's consistent scoring. An 8-0 run early in the quarter narrowed the gap to five, but the Nuggets pulled away decisively with a 17-6 run, building their largest lead of the night at 17 points.
Aaron Gordon led the Nuggets' scoring charge with an impressive 27 points, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Nikola Jokic contributed a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Bruce Brown added 21 points, including a crucial 11-point burst in the final minutes.
Denver's three-point shooting proved to be a key factor, as they connected on 14 of 28 attempts (50%). In contrast, Miami struggled from long range, making just 8 of 25 three-pointers (32%).
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo carried the Heat's offense, combining for 45 points, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the Nuggets' balanced attack.
A Nuggets victory in Game 5 would make them the fifth first-time NBA champion of the 21st century and the first since the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers. Conversely, a Heat comeback would be a historic feat, mirroring the Cavaliers' remarkable comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 Finals.
Game 5 is set for Monday night in Denver, where Nuggets fans will have the opportunity to witness a potential championship celebration on their home court.
