Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 104-93 loss Thursday night to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals. This was the game in which he scored the fewest goals so far in the postseason.
However, the bigger story has to do with Miami setting an NBA playoff record for fewest free throw attempts in a game, going to the foul line only twice. The Heat also shot 39-of-96 (40.6%) from the floor and 13-of-39 (33.3%) from outside the arc.
Referring to two NBA betting sites, Denver is the favorite to win the 2023 NBA Finals. A few sports bets give Butler the second shortest odds of winning the Finals MVP award. Of course, Nikola Jokic is still the front runner.
Jimmy Butler responded to why the Heat struggled to hang out with Denver: “Maybe because we hit a lot of quick shots, I’d probably lead that set, instead of squeezing the edge.” Getting passes on the ball, getting to the free throw line. When you look at it during the game, they all look like the right shots.
“And I’m not saying we as a team can’t do that, but we have to get more passes, get more free throws. And whenever you miss and don’t come back, the game quickly gets out of control. We gave up way too many drills, which doesn’t We can happen too. But that’s it. We have to attack the edge a lot more, including me.”
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler scored just 13 points, his lowest postseason this year, in Thursday’s 104-93 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals.
Haywood Highsmith was the only Heat player to be sent to the foul line. The third-year forward knocked out both of his free throw attempts. Highsmith led the Miami Second Team in scoring with 18 points in 23 minutes off the bench. 7 of 10 (70%) shooters finished from the field and 2 of 4 (50%) from the center.
Bam Adebayo He posted team highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds in 40 minutes as a starter. This was his 17th playoff game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. The only Heat player with more in franchise history is LeBron James (25).
Additionally, Butler wasn’t the only player the Heat underperformed in Game 1, as Max Stross was scoreless and went on shooting 0-of-10 from the field, becoming just the fourth player to shoot that or worse in an NBA Finals game.
Nobody said #NBAF Finals It will be easy, but we are up for the challenge. pic.twitter.com/QltZRjfoPv
– Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) June 2, 2023
Caleb Martin, who has one vote fewer than Butler as East Finals Most Valuable Player, has just three points and four boards in 25 minutes. The 6-foot-5 front shot is 1-in-7 from the field as well.
Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals will take place on Sunday at 8:30 PM ET. Denver is an 8.5-point favorite over the Heat. According to ESPN’s Basketball Strength Index, the Nuggets have a 76.7% chance of improving to 2-0 against Miami.