Nuggets take 3-1 lead over Heat following Game 4 win

The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat will square off in Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN with the Western Conference Finalists leading two games to one. The Heat will try to protect the homecourt and even the series at two games each, while the Nuggets look to win back-to-back games on the road and take a commanding three games to one lead.

The Nuggets are three-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook. The total comes in at 211.5. Denver is -145 on the moneyline, while Miami is +125. Here are the latest updates from Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

Nuggets vs. Heat Game 4 live updates

End of the fourth quarter - Bruce Brown and Aaron Gordon are the story of the game, as the Nuggets pulled away in the fourth quarter to take a 3-1 lead over the Heat. The pair both dropped over 20 points in a game where Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic didn’t have to carry the load.

Nuggets ML (-145) and (-3) hits while the total was well below 211.5.

Fourth quarter - And then a dagger three from KCP gives the Nuggets their largest lead of the night at 14. That’s lights out for Miami.

Fourth quarter - Just a backbreaking three-point play for Bruce Brown as the Nuggets extend their lead to 11.

Fourth quarter - The Heat might be mortal after all. If Miami does lose this game, they’ll look back at this fourth-quarter stretch where they couldn’t take advantage of Jokic on the bench.

Fourth quarter - Murray and Gordon are keeping the Nuggets afloat while Jokic is on the bench with five fouls. The pair respond to every body blow the Heat throw at them.

Fourth quarter - A Butler hoop and the harm cut the Nuggets' lead to six following a seven-point run by the Heat.

Fourth quarter - Jokic picked up his fifth foul in a controversial call, which will force him to the bench and give the Heat an opening to come back.

Fourth quarter - Despite trailing by double digits, the Heat are playing tough, especially Adebayo with an incredible chase-down block.

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Third quarter - Gordon is up to 25 points after hitting a last-second triple to give the Nuggets an 86-73 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Third quarter - There’s a delay in the game after one of the hoops appears to be unlevel. Jokic tried to hang on the rim to fix it, however, it caused a stoppage in the quarter. That, and a medical emergency with a fan, caused a seven-minute delay.

Third quarter - It’s been a struggle for the Heat bench but Duncan Robinson is giving Miami quality minutes, especially on defense.

Third quarter - Murray and Jokic are taking over as the Nuggets extend their lead to thirteen.

Third quarter - The Aaron Gordon Game rages on. AG dished his fourth assist to give the Nuggets their largest lead of the night (10).

Third quarter - The Heat continue to struggle with turnovers, however, Adebayo is keeping them in the game, as they’re currently down eight.

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Second quarter - Thanks to a Heat run and a strong Adebayo slam, the Heat narrowed the Nuggets' lead to four, 55-51.

Second quarter - Aaron Gordon cannot be stopped, his made all six of his shots for 15 points in the first half as the Nuggets lead by five.

Second quarter - Jokic hit a deeeeeep three to give the Nuggets a five-point lead.

Second quarter - The lid appears to have come off the basket as both teams are starting to warm up. Duncan Robinson hit a three and dished a nice dime to Jimmy Butler to tie the game at 30 nearly halfway through the second quarter.

Second quarter - The Aaron Gordon Game? The Nuggets forward has nine points and hit two threes with Jokic on the bench.

Second quarter - Jokic went back to the locker room between quarters to work on his ankle. He is now back on the bench.

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First quarter - The Heat went on a seven-point run in the latter stages of the first quarter to tie the game up on a Kyle Lowry banked three-pointer.

A last-second Jimmy Butler three gave the Heat a one-point lead heading into the second quarter.

First quarter - The Heat have struggled to hit shots and hold onto the ball, with five early turnovers in the first which is more than Miami had in the entire Game 3.

First quarter - It’s been a low-scoring game so far, but Jamaal Murray has six early points to start.

First quarter - Jokic landed funny on a rebound and has a slight limp, but he did not leave the game as the Nuggets are up 12 to 9 with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

First quarter - It’s a brickfest to start the game as the teams have combined to start the tilt 2-of-9 from the field.

First quarter - Bam Adebayo attacked the basket and scored the first basket of the game, giving the Heat an early 2-0 lead at home against the Nuggets. Jokic responded with the first basket of the game for the Nuggets.