NBA Finals Game 3: Nuggets vs. Heat X-Factors

by

Jun 7, 2023

As we delve deeper into the 2023 NBA Finals featuring the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, the spotlight turns toward the secondary stars and significant role players who could tip the balance in this closely contested series.

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The first two games have shown us the value of these often-overlooked players, and in the wake of their performances, the stakes for Game 3 are even higher. 

Gabe Vincent has been a revelation in these finals, outperforming even Kyle Lowry, the seasoned veteran delivering significant minutes for Miami. 

On Denver’s side, Michael Porter Jr. can be an X-factor. Despite struggling with a 2-of-8 shooting performance from three-point range, and a combined 3-for-19 in the first two games, Porter Jr.’s potential impact cannot be understated. Denver needs to unlock his offensive capabilities, possibly by employing more two-man games between him and Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

Is Michael Porter a Top Game 3 Pick by our Player Props model?

There’s also an argument for Porter Jr. to adopt a more aggressive approach by attacking the basket, much like Duncan Robinson did in Game 2. The highlight of Robinson’s game wasn’t his three-point shots but his hard-charging layups that tested the Nuggets’ defense. If Porter Jr. can emulate this attacking mindset, it could boost his own performance and create more opportunities for his teammates.

The stage is set for an explosive Game 3, and the performances of these secondary stars and role players will undoubtedly be instrumental in deciding the outcome. The Nuggets will need Porter Jr. to step up and match the threat posed by the return of Hero for the Heat. In this high-stakes contest, the power of these often-overlooked players may prove decisive.

Thumbnail photo via USA TODAY Sports Images