Throughout these playoffs, there have been two things the Denver Nuggets have done better than any other team: score and win on their home court. Both trends continued Thursday in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the franchise’s first game in the championship round, when the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat, 104-93.

As usual, two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver with 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, his ninth triple-double of the playoffs. Jamal Murray added 26 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. With the win, the Nuggets improved to 9-0 at home this postseason.

The Heat were led by Bam Adebayo, who had 26 points and 12 rebounds. This is the Heat’s first loss in Game 1 of the playoffs.

Statistics to know

Jokic field goal attempts: 12

This is what makes Jokic the best offensive player in the NBA. There is simply no answer for him. You can limit his shot attempts and still get torched, whether it’s hitting Aaron Gordon on a slice or opening up Murray with a devastating screen.

3-point shooting heat: 13 of 39

One of the reasons the Heat have been able to turn things around in the playoffs is because they’ve caught fire from deep within. They’ve drilled 39% of their 3s during the playoffs, a huge jump from the 34.4% they shot from deep during the regular season. But in Game 1, they cooled off. The main culprits: Max Strus (0-9) and Duncan Robinson (1-5).

Heat free throw attempts: 2

This is a record for the fewest in an NBA Finals game.

game of the game

It’s more of a play, but how can you not just sit back and appreciate this level of grandeur? We had never seen a player like this. At this time, it seems that there is no answer.

Next for the Nuggets

What makes this team so great is that they don’t have to make adjustments. Because of Jokic’s dominance, and the many ways he can dominate, all the Nuggets have to do is sit back and take what the defense gives them.

The Heat resorted to a zone defense in the fourth quarter, and it seemed to slow the Nuggets down a bit, but the game was over by then. Maybe the Heat will lean on him more in Game 2.

But it’s worth noting that during the regular season the Nuggets were No. 2 in the league in points per possession when facing a zone.

Next for the Heat

The only thing the Heat can take comfort in is that many of their missed 3-pointers went well. Maybe a few more days in Denver and getting used to the altitude will help some of his shooting and some of those shots will go down in Game 2.

They will also have to find a way to get to the free throw line. Because it doesn’t matter how effective your zone defense is. If they do not generate more points they do not have a shot.

Yaron Weitzman is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. He is the author of “Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers and the boldest process in professional sports history.” Follow him on Twitter @YaronWeitzman.

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