Heat equalizes in in Game 2

DENVER — Duncan Robinson flexed and then flashed his mean face after a cutting layup. No disrespect meant. The Miami Heat forward was just having a little fun in the fourth quarter.

Because for the opening three, Robinson hadn’t taken a single shot. Turns out, he was simply saving his best for when his team needed him most.

Over a nearly two-minute spurt in the fourth quarter, Robinson scored all of his 10 points to spark a rally that sent the Heat to a 111-108 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) in Game

Two of the NBA Finals.

Robinson’s surge helped turn an 83-75 deficit into an 88-85 lead that Miami wouldn’t relinquish in tying the series at one game apiece.

“I surprised myself with the fact that I pulled that one out,” Robinson said about his spur-ofthe-moment pose. “Mostly just try to play with a certain level of joy. I feel like I play my best when

I’m having fun.”

Robinson’s line through three quarters was nearly seven minutes of play and a whole bunch of zeroes — zero shots, zero rebounds, zero assists. He did have one foul.

But in the fourth, he was 4 of 5, including two 3-pointers, to help the Heat do something no other team has done this postseason — beat the Nuggets at home.

“He can be one of those guys who just breaks a game open,” said Heat forward Kevin Love, who started Game Two, scoring six points and grabbing 10 re-

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Yes, the Heat have stolen Game 2 (111-108) and have taken away the home court advantage from the Nuggets in the best of seven NBA Finals in Denver.

I thought Nikola Jokic exhausted himself in producing 41 points that were negated completely by the aggressive defense and exemplary outside shooting of Gabe Vincent (23 pts), Dam Adebayo (21 + 9 rebounds) and Jimmy Butler (21+ 9 assists).

In doing so, the Serbian star actually outperformed himself, doing all the things he can like there was a need for someone like Hercules to accomplish the job. The guy was all over. Who is the bounds, after not playing a minute in Game Two. “We’ve seen that from him throughout these playoffs. His consistency and confidence has been there.”

Robinson had a forgettable Game One when he went 1 for 6 from the floor. He just kept his cool and didn’t read too much into one poor shooting performance.

He had a streaky series against Boston in the Eastern Conference finals, too. In Game Three of that series, he had 22, then two in Game Four and 18 in Game Five.

That’s been his season in a nutshell. He’s been in and out of the rotation all season.

“He does a lot of things that people don’t know he has,” Love explained. “They see him as a shooter, but he is cutting to the hoop, he’s putting the ball on the floor, he’s hitting a drop pass to Bam (Adebayo) and he’s using his size to get to the rim on those cuts and put the ball down.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see. We needed all of those contributions tonight.”

Max Strus chipped in early, with four 3-pointers in the first quarter. This after going 0 for 10 in Game 1.

Ominous Game 2 Miami Win In Denver

coach who will not love and adore him?

Denver submerged Miami in Game 1 (104-93) so convincingly that I also entertained the idea that a 2-0 Nugget bubble was not too farfetched.

But Eric Spoelstra had something else in mind.

He put in Kevin Love as a starter in lieu of Caleb Martin. The veteran one -time champion responded with four treys and, together with Adebayo. helped in defense against Jokic.

The two time NBA champion coach knew they could not stop the Nugget bigman from putting in the points but they could prevent and limit his gang from producing the necessary artillery support.

The stats sheet showed that Jamal Murray, who made 26 and 10 assists in Game 1, had just 18; Michael Porter Jr was limited to 5 and 6 rebounds (after 14 and 12 in the opening match) and Aaron Gordon contributed 12 points after 16 in the first outing.

This is actually not something new. Veteran championship coaches know the many ways to skin a cat.

Jokic’ facial expression after the loss told the entire Denver effort.

He was s-o-o-o-o disappoint- ed. Spoelstra saved the fourth period for a 12-minute Miami run that would tire out the Denver guards.

Duncan Robinson flashed his accurate three-point sniping with three consecutive tosses; Kyle Lowry calmly orchestrated the attack with deft pick and rolls; Jimmy Butler came in well rested with 8 minutes left in the final phase, penetrated the Denver interior defense and produced 8 straight points to help sustain a Miami six-point lead, 99-93.

Spoelstra’s boys sunk 17 shots from beyond the arc for a 48.6% shooting, improving the Heat’s measly 33.3% in Game 1.

If Miami can maintain its tough defense as the Heat did in Game 2, the possibility that Spoelstra’s impressive bench tactics may produce positive results. He has out-strategized Michael Malone in the latter’s home turf.

The Fil-Am former coach of the year will definitely work harder to ensure that Games 3 and 4 will result in Miami’s favor.

Otherwise, the Nuggets can regain homecourt privilege again.

(Email feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!