NBA: Nuggets top Heat in low-scoring battle

Michael Porter Jr. scored a game-high 25 points to lead the visiting Denver Nuggets past the Miami Heat 100-88 on Wednesday night.

Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP, posted 12 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets, who have won four straight games and 10 of their past 11.

Denver’s bench delivered in the fourth quarter as Reggie Jackson and Christian Braun each scored seven points. Jackson got his seven fourth-quarter points on three straight buckets. Braun, scoreless through three quarters, went 3-for-3 in the fourth, including a 3-pointer.

Wednesday’s game was a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals, won by Denver in five games.

In the regular season, the Nuggets have beaten the Heat eight straight times (four in Miami and four in Denver).

The Heat, who have lost four straight games, were led by Bam Adebayo, who had a double-double: 17 points and 13 rebounds. He scored nine points in Miami’s resurgent third quarter.

Miami also got 15 points from Jimmy Butler and 14 from Terry Rozier.

Denver, which had a 9-0 edge on fast-break points in the first quarter, led 26-19 at the end of those 12 minutes. Miami, which trailed by as many as 13 points in the quarter, shot just 37.5 percent from the floor.

Miami cut its deficit to 50-44 by halftime. Still, Denver led the entire second quarter as Porter topped all first-half scorers with 15 points. The 3-point line was big in the first half as Denver shot 5 of 15; Miami was just 1 of 8.

The Heat, with a Rozier layup, surged ahead 56-55 with 7:43 left in the third quarter. Denver ended the third with a 72-71 lead.

Then, after six lead changes and three tie scores in the third, Denver controlled the fourth, outscoring Miami 28-17.

For the game, Denver shot 48.8 percent, including 11-for-33 on 3-pointers (33.3 percent).

Miami shot 42.5 percent, including 5-for-21 on 3-pointers (23.8 percent).

–Field Level Media/Reuters