Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after a 104-93 victory towards the Miami Warmth in Recreation One of many 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Enviornment on June 01, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs/AFP
Two-time NBA Most Worthwhile Participant Nikola Jokic is aware of how you can let the sport come to him — and the Denver Nuggets star wasn’t about to begin forcing issues on the most important stage of all.
“I feel that’s the fantastic thing about Nikola,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone stated after his crew beat the Miami Warmth 104-93 in Recreation 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
“I discovered a very long time in the past the protection tells you what to do, and Nikola by no means forces it.”
The Serbian star, who gained league MVP honors in 2021 and 2022 however didn’t make it to the Finals till this season, didn’t try his first basket till the waning seconds of the primary quarter.
“That is how I discovered to play basketball…it is arduous to protect when you do not know who’s going to assault.”
Nikola Jokic on Denver’s model of basketball 🔊#NBAFinals offered by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/grWHVqPul2
— NBA (@NBA) June 2, 2023
However he had 10 assists by halftime as Denver took management early towards a Warmth crew that had gained the opening sport on the highway in every of the earlier three rounds.
“In the event that they’re going to present him that type of consideration… he’s going to only decide you aside,” Malone stated of Jokic, who kicked out to a teammate for an open three-pointer twice within the first half when the Warmth had him coated within the put up.
“Nikola by no means tries to impose his will or pressure issues that aren’t there. He’s going to learn the sport. He’s going to make the suitable play. Most significantly he’s going to make each one among his teammates higher.”
Jokic, who had simply three shot makes an attempt within the first half — and made all of them — would find yourself main the Nuggets with 27 factors, including 10 rebounds and 14 assists in his fifteenth playoff triple double — his ninth of this post-season.
Teammate Jamal Murray added 26 factors and 10 assists as 5 Denver gamers scored in double figures.
“One factor about Nikola is he takes nice satisfaction in making performs for others,” Malone stated. “He actually does. I feel he takes extra pleasure in that.
“I don’t suppose he cares if he scored 27 factors or not. He cares that we’re up 1-0.”
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