The Miami Heat stumbled out of the gates in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, trailing the Denver Nuggets 59-42 at halftime before losing 104-93 in Game 1. Jimmy Butler, a surging Bam Adebayo and the Heat ran into a buzzsaw against a rested Nuggets team.
Despite the degree of difficulty, controversial TV personality Skip Bayless refused to let the Heat off the hook.
Bayless roasted the Heat in savage fashion as part of a tweet that called their worthiness as an NBA Finals participant into question.
Well, I was wrong about Game 1. Heat have turned back into an 8 seed. On to Game 2.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 2, 2023
The Heat's defense was a first-half disaster against Michael Malone's Nuggets. Denver shot 60% from the field and 46% from three-point land. The Western Conference champions scored 32 of their 59 points in the paint in the first half as the Heat's strategy to defend with “all five guys” crumbled.
Miami has been led this postseason by a motley crew of undrafted players including Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, and Duncan Robinson. Bayless seemed to call out the team for an alleged lack of talent with another tweet.
Right now the Heat are shooting the ball like none of 'em were drafted.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 2, 2023
As the Heat inched closer in the second half, Bayless continued to pile on.
I hope Miami loses this game 120-80.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 2, 2023
The Heat were led by Adebayo, who had 16 points in the first half and finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds. They shot just 37.5% from the field including 23.5% on three pointers in the opening two quarters.
The Nuggets jumped out to a big lead despite Nikola Jokic taking just three shots in the first half. As the Nuggets widened their lead, Jokic began to put more points on the board. ‘The Joker' finished with 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds, strengthening his case as a budding NBA legend on par with LeBron James.
The Heat now have plenty of regrouping to do before Sunday's Game 2 at 8 p.m. at the Ball Arena in the Mile High City.
“That was by far the worst game the Heat have played all playoffs,” Bayless said at the conclusion of Thursday night's contest.
Follow Us
Subscribe