Nikola Jokic makes Finals history, Nuggets reclaim homecourt advantage with Game 3 win

The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will square off in Game 3 of the 2023 NBA Finals Wednesday with both teams having won a game in Denver. The Heat will try to protect the homecourt advantage they stole after winning Game 2, while the Nuggets look to wrestle it back by taking a game on the road.

The Nuggets opened as 2.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook but have now moved up to 3.5-point favorites. The total comes in at 213.5 after initially being listed at 214.5. Denver is -165 on the moneyline, while Miami is +140.

Here are the latest updates from Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Nuggets vs. Heat Game 3 live updates

End of the fourth quarter - This game was all about Jokic and Murray, who have a claim to being the best duo in the NBA right now. Jokic makes Finals history with a 30-20-10 triple-double, while Murray adds a 30-point triple-double of his own in much more quiet fashion.

The Nuggets have reclaimed homecourt advantage with this Game 3 victory, and the Heat will now have to try to ensure there will be at least one more game in Miami with a Game 4 win. Otherwise, the Nuggets can set up a title-clinching Game 5 in Denver next week.

Nuggets -3.5 hits, the under on 213.5 hits and Nuggets moneyline hits.

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Fourth quarter - Murray hits a huge jump shot to end a 7-0 Heat run, and it’s the 10th assist for Jokic. He’s got a 30-20-10 game for the Nuggets, who are hoping to seal this contest with just over five minutes left to play.

Fourth quarter - The Nuggets have gotten some good minutes from Christian Braun, who has 15 points in 17 minutes with just under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Heat have not made their run yet, and the Nuggets are making sure they don’t make one here with good defensive effort and solid offensive looks.

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End of the third quarter - This has been a truly disastrous quarter for the Heat, but somehow they only trail by 14 points heading into the final quarter. It’s Nuggets 82-68, with Jokic leading the way for Denver. Butler had some late buckets to keep things manageable for Miami but Nuggets -3.5 is looking like a lock right now. The under on 213.5 looks solid, especially if the Nuggets rest some guys late if the game is wrapped up. Let’s see if Miami can pull off another comeback down double digits, or if Denver reclaims homecourt advantage in the Finals.

Third quarter - It’s been the Jokic show in the third quarter, as the big man is up to 26 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists. The Nuggets have opened up a 16-point lead on the Heat and will now hope to avoid a letdown in Game 3. The Heat have been known to come back being down double digits, so the Nuggets will have to remain locked in here.

Third quarter - Jokic is starting to rack up a huge stat line here, and he’s asserting himself in the third quarter. The big man has 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

Third quarter - The Nuggets have jumped out to 11-point advantage quickly with a nice spurt to start the second half of Game 3. The Heat have had a few good looks but they haven’t connected. Meanwhile, Denver is getting easy layups as Miami misses rotations defensively.

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Halftime - The Nuggets lead the Heat 53-48 after the first half, and all the stars have been playing well for both sides. Nuggets -3.5 is looking good, but that bet only needs one Miami basket to be washed. The under on 213.5 is also looking good but it only takes a few minutes of hot shooting for that to be washed. Nuggets moneyline is -215 right now, while Heat moneyline is +175.

Second quarter - Both Jokic and Adebayo have double-doubles in the first half of Game 3. It’s going to be fun watching these two big men go at it for the rest of this game and at least two more, and this matchup likely will determine who wins the series.

Second quarter - Murray has hit a pair of triples in the second quarter and is now up to 14 points, as Denver withstood a mini Caleb Martin eight-point run to take a 41-37 lead in Game 3. The Nuggets are shooting 50% from the floor, while Miami is connecting on 38.9% of its shots.

Second quarter - Gabe Vincent has picked up two fouls on back-to-back plays with just over eight minutes left in the second quarter. We’ll see if he returns for the first half. Vincent has been a strong scoring presence for the Heat, averaging 21 points per game in the Finals.

Second quarter - Bam Adebayo has nine points and seven rebounds early in Game 3 as the Heat and Nuggets remain close. It’s tied 29-29 early in the second quarter, and all the stars (Jokic, Butler, Murray, Adebayo) are performing as we’d expect them too.

Second quarter - It appears the Heat are going to match Butler’s minutes with Jokic’s, which explains why both players are out to start the second. Aaron Gordon is trying to take advantage of Miami’s defensive approach to him, which usually involves smaller guards. We’ll see if Denver can win the non-Jokic minutes here.

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End of the first quarter - Jokic and Murray have been dominant for the Nuggets, while Jimmy Butler has started the scoring early for Miami. Jokic has 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Murray has eight points. Butler has 10 points for Miami. We are tied 24-24 after one quarter. Heat +3.5 is looking good, as is the under on the total at 213.5.

First quarter - After a somewhat quiet start, Nikola Jokic has gotten going as well with eight points, five rebounds and an assist. The Nuggets are only up by a basket though, so maybe the Heat have found something by letting Jokic and Murray hoist away while the supporting players don’t get involved.

First quarter - Jamal Murray has eight early points for the Nuggets to pace the road team in Game 3, while Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler are being aggressive themselves for the Heat. Miami leads 14-12 early.

First quarter - The first basket of Game 3 goes to the Bam Adebayo on a fancy layup and we are underway!

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Pregame - Both teams will be rolling with the same starting lineups from Game 2. It’ll be Vincent, Strus, Butler, Love and Adebayo for the Heat while the Nuggets send out Murray, Caldwell-Pope, Porter Jr., Gordon and Jokic.

Pregame - One big player the Heat will be missing in Game 3 is Tyler Herro, who is still out with a hand issue. Herro was expected to return by this point, but he’s still not at 100% and likely didn’t want to disrupt the team’s chemistry. We’ll see if he can come back in Game 4.

Pregame - Here’s a look at all of DK Nation’s contest for tonight’s contest, including tonight’s ATS and total picks, Nuggets and Heat player props, player specials, same game parlays and a look at the officiating crew. We’ve also got a DFS lineup strategy for Game 3 and how the public is betting on the game.