The first game of the NBA Finals took place in Denver on June 1 as the Nuggets welcomed the Miami Heat to tip-off the 2023 seven-game series.
The high altitude of Denver was put on full display on the court as the Miami Heat looked exhausted heading into the game’s later stages, eventually losing to the Nuggets 104-93. Miami players could be seen moving more slowly than they had in earlier stages of the playoffs and putting their hands on their knees during breaks in play. This was no doubt in large part due to Denver’s high altitude, a factor that opposing teams must deal with every time that they challenge the Nuggets in their home arena.
Hilariously, Hall of Fame basketball players and current commentators Grant Hill and Charles Barkley were also struggling to get through the broadcast without the help of supplemental oxygen being provided to them through a mask. In a hilarious video shared on Twitter by Homer Azarly, the duo can be seen huffing from an oxygen mask to catch their breath while the broadcast took a breather.
Lmao Charles Barkley and Grant Hill put on oxygen masks because of the altitude 😂 pic.twitter.com/3qBvGXXqfa
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 1, 2023
As hysterically funny as this video is, it paints a far better picture of the struggles that opposing teams face when they play in Denver. While Hill and Barkley are no longer in playing shape, the two were once a couple of the most athletic men on the planet, able to play 48-minute basketball games on a nightly basis. If they struggled with just sitting and talking, the game must have been a brutal wake-up call for the Heat.
Following the game, everyone in NBA media had their takes on the game, with many saying that the Miami Heat were nearing a must-win scenario in game 2. A loss could lead to the series getting entirely out of hand for the underdog team.
Magic Johnson, former Lakers legend and current Hall of Famer, offered his take on the action, Tweeting, “Jokic and Murray led their team to a 104-93 victory over the Miami Heat last night. Jokic recorded another triple double; 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, and Jamal Murray finished with 26 points and 10 assists!”
Jokic and Murray led their team to a 104-93 victory over the Miami Heat last night. Jokic recorded another triple double; 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, and Jamal Murray finished with 26 points and 10 assists!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 2, 2023
Johnson also mentioned that the size of the Denver Nuggets may be an even bigger problem for the Miami Heat than the high altitude; Tweeting, “Denver’s length is going to be a major problem for the Miami Heat!”
Denver’s length is going to be a major problem for the Miami Heat!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 2, 2023
Jimmy Butler, the on-court leader of the Miami Heat, spoke after the game about the changes the team will have to make to come back from their loss on Thursday, saying, “got to get more layups, got to get more free throws… But that’s it as a whole. We’ve got to attack the rim a lot more, myself included.”
Game two will be contested on June 4 in Denver. After that game, the series goes back to Miami for the next two games. The winner of tomorrow night’s game will be firmly in the driver’s seat for the rest of the series.
The Featured image is a screenshot from an embedded Tweet.
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