Heat vs. Nuggets: Hottest Comments from Experts After 2023 NBA Finals Game 1

Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets need just three more wins to capture their first NBA title following a 104-93 victory over Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Thursday at Ball Arena.

It was a dominant showing from the Nuggets as both Jokić and Jamal Murray continued to prove why they are one of the best duos in the NBA.

Jokić posted 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for his ninth triple-double of the postseason, and Murray finished with 26 points, six rebounds and 10 assists.

They are the second duo in NBA Finals history to post at least 25 points and 10 assists in a game and the first since Magic Johnson and James Worthy accomplished the feat with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987, per ESPN Stats and Information.

With their latest performance powering the Nuggets to a big Game 1 victory, NBA analysts and experts, including former NBA guard JJ Redick, are calling Jokić and Murray the best duo in the league:

ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk also pointed out that Jokić, Murray and the Nuggets can beat teams in more ways than one.

"The Nuggets, who remain undefeated at home this postseason, feel that they can beat any defense in a multitude of ways," Youngmisuk wrote. "Take away Jokic's offense and the two-time MVP will find his teammates for open shots. Try to double-team Murray and the point guard can control the game with his passing."

While Jokić and Murray are expected to put together elite performances day in and day out, the expectations for Aaron Gordon aren't nearly as high. However, Gordon balled out in Game 1 of the Finals, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds and one assist.

Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post listed Gordon as the "hero" of Game 1 for how he attacked the rim and made things difficult for a much smaller Miami defense:

"Number 50's night started with an auspicious airball but he turned it around quickly thanks to a heaping dose of bully ball. Gabe Vincent couldn't guard him. Jimmy Butler wasn't going to slow him. Caleb Martin? No, sir. Gordon made six of his next seven buckets — all around the rim — as he powered around and through the Miami defense en route to 12 first-quarter points."

The Athletic's Marcus Thompson II also pointed out that Denver's size and versatility is going to be a problem for the Heat throughout the NBA Finals.

"He didn't just score 12 first-quarter points," Thompson wrote. "He illustrated the mountainous problem Miami faces. He is a microcosm of Denver's height, girth and strength advantage in this series."

As for the Heat, many NBA experts ripped the team for its poor shooting in Game 1 after an electric performance against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals saw them knock down even some of the most difficult shots.

Miami finished Game 1 shooting 40.6 percent from the floor (39-of-96) and 33.3 percent from deep (13-of-39). The Heat also shot just two free throws—the fewest in a playoff game in NBA history—as they struggled to get to the line.

If Miami is going to take down Denver, the team's shooting is going to have to be much more effective in Game 2 and beyond. The Heat can't afford to go down 2-0 in this series, especially with Jokić averaging a triple-double this postseason.

Game 2 between the Heat and Nuggets is slated for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in Denver.