The following comes courtesy of Bard, Google’s AI platform except where bold.
Don’t just watch the game, play along with thePeachBasket Pick’em!
The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat are tied 1-1 in the NBA Finals, with Game 2 set to tip off tonight at 9:00 PM ET [Did Bard just predict the future? When AI begins to do that things will be very different! Denver is up 1-0 going into Game 2]. The Nuggets won Game 1 in convincing fashion, 113-96 [It was convincing, but it was 104-93], but the Heat are expected to be a much tougher opponent in Game 2.
The Nuggets will be without Jamal Murray, who is still recovering from a torn ACL [Ugh, very sorry to all Nuggets fans for this. Bard is likely back in 2021.Murray is fine and by all accounts even better than when he suffered that injury on April 12, 2021]. However, they have been getting great production from Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 33.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game in the playoffs [Don’t have time to fact check this, but I’m confident the numbers are a bit off. Still, Jokic has been amazing all playoffs long!]. The Heat will need to find a way to slow down Jokic if they want to win Game 2.
The Heat have been led by Jimmy Butler in the playoffs. Butler is averaging 28.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game [Again, no time to do the math, but I imagine these are close, but off. Heat will absolutely need the Jimmy Butler who put them on his shoulders against the Boston Celtics to warn the W]. He will need to have another big game if the Heat want to even the series at 2-2 [A Heat will would even the series 1-1].
The Nuggets are the slight favorites to win Game 2, but the Heat are a dangerous team. The Heat have won 10 of their last 11 games, and they are playing with a lot of confidence [Nope, the Heat have not won 10 of their last 11. But yes, they are a very confident team!]. This should be a close game, and it could come down to who makes the most plays down the stretch.
Here are some things to watch for in Game 2:
- Can the Nuggets continue their hot shooting? The Nuggets shot 50.6% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range in Game 1 [FG% is accurate, but the Nuggets made only 29.6% of their shots from deep]. If they can shoot the ball well again, they will be tough to beat.
- Can the Heat slow down Nikola Jokic? Jokic is averaging 33.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game in the playoffs [See above]. If the Heat can limit his production, they will have a good chance of winning.
- Can Jimmy Butler lead the Heat to victory? Butler is averaging 28.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game in the playoffs [See above]. If he can have another big game, the Heat will be in good shape.
The Nuggets and Heat are two evenly matched teams, and this should be a close game. The Nuggets are the slight favorites, but the Heat are a dangerous team. This should be an exciting Game 2.
Bard finished strong. Game 2 should be exciting! Adjustments will be made on both sides, the Heat don’t want to go down 0-2 and the Nuggets want to protect home court. Enjoy the game NBA Fan!
