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Jimmy Butler, Heat role players use fourth quarter run to level NBA Finals with Game 2 win over Nuggets

Here’s the latest from Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals.

By Chinmay Vaidya Updated
2023 NBA Finals - Game Two
Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets during the first half in Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 04, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

The Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets will continue the 2023 NBA Finals Sunday with Game 2 from Ball Arena in Denver. The Heat are hoping to get a split before the series heads to Miami, while the Nuggets look to hold serve and go up 2-0.

The Nuggets are 8-point favorites according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The total is 216.5. Here are the latest updates from the contest, along with relevant odds information and video highlights.

Heat vs. Nuggets Game 2 live updates

End of Game 2 - The Heat have defeated the Nuggets 111-108 and have leveled the NBA Finals at 1-1. Murray’s three-point attempt at the horn does not go down, and the Nuggets cannot force overtime. Jokic was unable to distribute the ball like he did in Game 1, and Butler showed up late for the Heat offensively. Miami’s three-point shots were falling, and the team made good adjustments defensively. There’s now guaranteed to be at least one more game in Denver. The series will now head to Miami for Game 3 Wednesday. Heat +8.5, Heat moneyline, and the over on the total hit.

Fourth quarter - The Nuggets have used an 11-2 run courtesy of a few Murray triples to cut the deficit to 109-106, but the Heat are going to get a couple free throw chances with under a minute left. This could go either way.

Fourth quarter - The Heat are the ones making the push in the fourth quarter, leading the Nuggets 104-95 with just over four minutes to go. Miami is 16-31 from deep, and Butler is starting to assert himself offensively. We’ll see if Jokic, Murray and Denver’s secondary players can lock in and come back or if the Heat will gain the road split they wanted after two games.

Fourth quarter - Butler was quiet from a scoring standpoint until the fourth, where he has got six quick points to give the Heat a 98-91 lead. Murray is back in the game for the Nuggets, who are hoping to mount a comeback here.

Fourth quarter - The Nuggets are leaving Miami’s shooters open, and the Heat are making them pay. Vincent hit a triple to give the Heat a 1-point lead, and Robinson gets a layup to push the lead to 88-85. It’s been a nice run for Miami, and Denver is going to need to lock in defensively if it wants to avoid its first home loss of the playoffs.

Fourth quarter - The Heat have started quarters strong and have cut into Denver’s lead once again. Duncan Robinson hit a couple triples as part of Miami’s overall strong shooting night, and the Heat opened the period on a 8-2 run. It’s now 85-83 Nuggets, and Jokic will likely come back in the game after the timeout.

End of the third quarter - Jokic came alive at the end of the period, and is up to 31 points in the game. The Nuggets have opened up a nice cushion heading into the final period and are 12 minutes away from going up 2-0 in the series. They lead the Heat 83-75.

Third quarter - The Nuggets have a 71-66 lead over the Heat, who will want more out of Jimmy Butler as this game winds down. Butler has just 11 points in the game, but he has dished out six assists. For Denver, Jokic still leads the way with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Third quarter - Vincent is up to 18 points, and the Heat are staying in this contest behind some excellent three-point shooting (11-20). Jokic has 18 points to lead the Nuggets and is getting to his spots but Denver’s defense needs to close down on Miami’s shooters to create some distance.

Halftime - The Nuggets lead the Heat 57-51 after the first half of Game 2. Jokic has 13 points, four rebounds and three assists to lead Denver. Strus and Gabe Vincent have combined for 26 points for Miami. Heat +8.5 is looking strong right now. The total is a bit more up in the air, though the under has the slight edge there as well.

Second quarter - The Heat were in a 15-point hole at one point in the second quarter but have cut the deficit to five points as we approach halftime. This is turning into a tight contest once again.

Second quarter - The Nuggets have come alive in the second frame here, opening up a double-digit lead once again. The Heat have not been able to find their footing despite having the early advantage, and are going to need to make a run here to prevent this game from getting out of hand. Murray and Jokic have combined for 19 points so far in the game.

Second quarter - The Nuggets have taken the lead on a nice run of their own, but Miami’s hot three-point shooting has kept them in the contest after losing their early advantage. Jamal Murray has started to come alive in the second quarter and Denver is starting to be more assertive on both ends of the floor.

End of the first quarter - The Nuggets have withstood Miami’s early push, which was propelled by Strus’ four three-pointers in the opening frame. Jokic is up to 11 points, two rebounds and two assists. Miami leads 26-23. Heat +8.5 is looking good right now, as is the under on the total.

First quarter - We’ve got just over four minutes left in the first quarter and the Heat have a 21-12 lead over the Nuggets with Strus already hitting three triples. Jokic has seven points early for Denver.

First quarter - Strus hits another triple, and the Heat have jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead over the Nuggets in Game 2. Denver has started 1-5 from the floor.

First quarter - Max Strus, who went 0-10 from the floor in Game 1, hits a triple to get the scoring started in Game 2.

Pregame - The Nuggets are rolling with the same starting lineup from Game 1. The Heat are putting Love in place of Martin, but the other four starters remain the same.

Pregame - Tyler Herro is still out for the Heat, but is expected to make his return in Game 3 Wednesday when the series shifts to Miami. Caleb Martin is playing through an illness but is expected to come off the bench. Kevin Love is going to start for Miami in place of Martin, likely to provide the Heat with more size to match up with Nikola Jokic.

Pregame - Here’s all the DK Nation content around Game 2, including our ATS and over/under picks, player props for the Heat and Nuggets, player specials, Same Game parlays and DFS lineup advice. We’ve also got a look at the officials for Game 2, and how bettors are approaching this contest.

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