Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) aims to score as Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
MIAMI (AP) — After building their largest lead of the night to that point midway through the third quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Denver Nuggets put on a rebounding clinic.
Aaron Gordon grabbed one on the defensive end after Miami’s Max Strus missed, then Michael Porter Jr. came down with the ball off Jamal Murray’s failed 3-point attempt. Porter got his own own rebound off a block — and when he missed, Gordon put it back up and in, and the score wasn’t close the rest of the way.
It was their own personal game of shoot until you make it — and it spoke to the Nuggets being too big, too strong and too tough inside for the Heat in their 109-94 victory Wednesday night that put them up 2-1 in the series and one step closer to the first championship in franchise history.
Denver outrebounded Miami 65-41, and points in the paint were a lopsided 60-34. Nikola Jokic had 18 rebounds on the defensive end alone as part of his game-controlling triple-double.
“When we rebound like that, there’s usually a direct correlation to a ‘W,’” said Gordon, who had 10 rebounds. “We’ve got to keep eating the glass, continue to rebound on both sides of the floor.”
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms up before the start of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Ish Smith warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat forward Kevin Love warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. warms up before Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) aims to score as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) watches during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) aims to score as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) watches during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defends Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) looks to pass the ball under pressure from Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) and center Nikola Jokic (15) defend Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) and center Nikola Jokic (15) defend Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) react to a call during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) aims to score as Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) defends a shot to the basket by Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) slaps the ball away from Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gestures after a call during the first half of Game 3 of NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) go after a loose ball during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) blocks a shot by Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reacts to a call during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade waves to fans during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) defends Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Former Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade waves to fans during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat players watch from the bench during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dunks the ball over Denver Nuggets forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra gestures during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) blocks a shot to the basket by Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) and center Bam Adebayo (13) defend Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) drives to the basket during the first half of Game 3 of NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) go after a loose ball during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) defends during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) reacts after dunking the ball during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dunks the ball over Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket over Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat players react as they fall behind the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) attempts to defend during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) drives to the basket during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) drives to the basket during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) dunks the ball over Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) during second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown (11) passes the ball under pressure from Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown (11) defends Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) grabs a rebound during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) drives to the basket during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) celebrates after scoring during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown (11) dribbles around Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) stands on the court as the team falls behind the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots the ball against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, left, and forward Kevin Love during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP) Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) drives to the basket as Miami Heat center Cody Zeller (44) defends during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) defends during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots against Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP) Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) attempts to defend Denver Nuggets forward Jack White (10) during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, and Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) reach during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP) Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, shoots the ball against Miami Heat forward Kevin Love during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP) Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) drives to the basket as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) defends during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) shoots against Miami Heat forwards Jimmy Butler (22) and Caleb Martin (16) during the first half of Game 3 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP) Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and guard Gabe Vincent (2) talks on the court during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Finals basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
While Jokic became the first player with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game in the finals, he had plenty of help on the glass. The Heat had few answers inside for Gordon and Murray, who also had 10 boards, and Porter with his seven.
“They just pummeled us in the paint,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said, lamenting his team losing too many 50-50 plays. “They didn’t really have to shoot 3s. They had, whatever, 60 in the paint. They probably shot over 65% in the paint at the rim there. Wasn’t a need to space the floor.”
With Denver looking for complementary help for Jokic and Murray — who had 14 points midway through the second quarter and finished with a game-high 34 that were the most by a Canada-born player in a finals game — Gordon stepped to the forefront. The 27-year-old forward had 11 points in 34 minutes on the court.
Rookie Braun comes up big
Rookie Christian Braun also came up big with 15 points in 19 minutes off the bench. His was just one of several crucial secondary performances.
“This is by far our best game of the series, the most competitive game of the series, and it’s not because of the triple-doubles or all the individual stats,” coach Michael Malone said, citing the 60 points in the paint and outrebounding Miami by a significant amount in a game in the finals. “That really helped us out tonight: the defending and rebounding at a high level.”
Malone saw it as the Nuggets responding teamwide to their Game 2 performance, when they blew a 15-point lead and lost. Now he hopes it carries into Game 4.
“I loved our energy, our effort, our urgency, our discipline,” Malone said. “I felt we were where we needed to be tonight, and we’ll have to be even better come Friday evening.”
Nuggets-Heat NBA Finals schedule
All times are in Mountain Daylight Time:
Game 1 in Denver – Thursday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. (Nuggets win)
Game 2 in Denver – Sunday, June 4 at 6 p.m. (Heat win)
Game 3 in Miami – Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. (Nuggets win)
Game 4 in Miami – Friday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Game 5 in Denver- Monday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Game 6 in Miami – Thursday, June 15 at 6:30 p.m.
Game 7 in Denver – Sunday, June 18 at 6 p.m.