Butler talks about his resolve after the loss.
The Miami Heat set the tone early in the series with a 93-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the 2022-2023 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena on 2 February (KST).
The final score was 11 points, but Miami played catch-up from midway through the first quarter until just before the end of the game.메이저사이트
Miami didn’t get off to a bad start. Jimmy Butler (201cm, F) scored four points in a row and Bam Adebayo (206cm, F-C) followed with a three-pointer to give the Heat a 7-6 lead 2:49 into the game. But that would be the last time Miami would take the lead in the game. From then on, the Heat let their opponents run away with the game.
They couldn’t control Aaron Gordon (203cm F) in the first quarter and gave up too many points to Jamal Murray (193cm G) and Michael Porter Jr (206cm F) in the second quarter. Adebayo led the way with 16 points, but he lacked outside support and Butler was a bit quiet.
There were times when Miami rode the wave. Early in the third quarter and early in the fourth. Adebayo was steady and Gabe Vincent (6-foot-9, G) and Kyle Lowry (6-foot-5, G) stepped up. But they still lacked support from their other shooters, and it was disappointing to see Butler held to six points in the second half.
Butler has been hot this playoffs, averaging 27.6 points per game. However, in Game 1 against Denver, he scored just 13 points, his lowest output of the playoffs.
After the loss, Butler spoke out. “I didn’t play well today. I should have made more shots. The next game will be different,” Butler said, acknowledging his faults and promising to improve.
Miami made just two free throws in the game, tying the record for fewest free throws made in an NBA playoff game.
“We only made two free throws,” Butler said. We’ve got to get to the line more as a team to win,” Butler said.
Despite dropping Game 1, there’s still plenty to play for in the Finals series. For Miami to avenge their Game 1 loss, they will need their ace, Butler, to perform. Will a determined Butler be a different player in Game 2?