Having some fun here for game 1, but keeping it small bc it's game 1 and anything can happen. The research is there for each play 🔥
Nikola Jokic will be going against big Bam Adebayo who is stiffer on defense than I think people give him credit for. He's quick and long which is important when guarding the Joker. However, Jokic teammates are much longer than the Heat's defenders and the big guy should exploit some of those matchups with his elite passing. He's covered this line (easily) in his last 7 of 8 games averaging 12.38 assists per game including 3 straight at home. He played the Heat once at home this year and had 12 assists.
Max Strus made the Nuggets pay big time in the two times he faced him this year and has great volume. He dropped 23 at home vs them on 20 field goal attempts (most on the team) with 12 points coming from 3. He will be a sneaky x factor again tonight heading to Denver. He also dropped 19 off the bench in his only game in Denver playing just 33 minutes and Tyler Herro shot 18 shots. I'm expecting him to play another key role here and to keep Denver honest by knocking down a few threes and being aggressive when they help off of him.
Let's rock and roll for game 1!
