The Denver Nuggets started their first game without Jamal Murray with a block from Michael Porter Jr. and a layup from Nikola Jokic before Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat matched it with a quick jumper. A 3-point make from Jokic had him rolling with a quick 2-of-2 before Trevor Ariza took a steal the other way for an easy layup. Jimmy Butler knocked down a pair of free throws before Bam banked home a jumper for two more.
Porter bookended a bucket from Bam to bring Denver within one before an Aaron Gordon jumper regained the lead.