After winning Game 1 of the NBA Finals fairly easily, theDenver Nuggetsblew a 15-point lead and lost Game 2 to the Miami Heat, 111-108, turning the series into an apparent dogfight.
Some feel the Nuggets lost because perhaps they got complacent, something pundits have accused them of being guilty of in the early rounds of the playoffs.
Others feel it s simply a matter of the Heat being the NBA s hardest-working team and an example of the whole being greater than the sum of a team s parts.
But there may be a simpler explanation, according to analyst Eric Shapiro.
He pointed out the lack of communication when defending certain actions the Heat ran, which led to botched defensive switches and open shots.
Denver allowed 19 points (7 baskets) in Game 2 directly from miscommunicated switches.
Huge factor in the game and something the Nuggets will have to clean up the rest of the Finals. pic.twitter.com/IYKJLny9He
Eric Shapiro (@eric_shap) June 5, 2023
These defensive miscues by Denver were one reason why the Heat shot a sizzling 48.6 percent from 3-point range in Game 2 after making just 33.3 percent of such attempts in Game 1.
During the regular season, the Heat struggled to hit shots from distance, and they were the only team in the NBA to average less than 110 points a game.
At the same time, defense has been the bone of contention for the Nuggets.
They have been an excellent offensive team all season, but some have wondered all along if their defense is air-tight enough to bring them their first-ever world championship.
At the same time, their offense hasn t been all that so far in this series, as they have been held under 110 points in both games.
If the Nuggets don t rectify these issues, they could be in trouble heading to South Florida for Game 3 and Game 4.
NEXT:
Analyst Says Mike Malone Made A Coaching Mistake In Game 2