Draymond Green Reveals Major Fix Heat Must Make vs. Nuggets

On the latest episode of his podcast, Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green talked about the adjustments the Miami Heat have to make in Game 2 of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.

“I think for the Miami Heat on defense, they are going to have to go Jimmy (Butler) on Jamal Murray, Bam (Adebayo) on Joker (Nikola Jokic). And I think they’re going to have to switch that pick-and-roll with Jamal Murray and Joker,” Green said. “Now if you switch that with Jimmy, number one, I’m telling Jimmy if you get caught in a bad way on a switch with Joker, I don’t need you in foul trouble. What I do need is for you to fight him, battle him. We know Jimmy battles. Jimmy’s a dog. Jimmy battles anybody and Jimmy’s strong as hell.

“So Joker just not gonna just run over Jimmy. Yes, he’s gonna get him caught in the bad ways a couple times. Like it’s Joker, number one, MVP. I think Jimmy can put up enough fight to where you can at least better contain Jamal Murray. Bam can guard guards. Not that he’s gonna go lock Jamal Murray down or anything like that, but he’s gonna contain him enough to where you’re playing one-on-one. So you’re playing this guy one-on-one. You’re playing Joker one-on-one. You’re not overhelping. You’re not letting other guys get off because remember, those guys missed those shots today (Game 1). They won’t miss them on Sunday (Game 2).

“You switch that, you make them guys play one-on-one. You force all the other guys to now get their buckets. It’s not off help. Now we’re battling. Now we’re one-on-one. Now we’re not giving advantages.”

The Nuggets won Game 1 by a final score of 104-93. Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, while Jamal Murray put up 26 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists.

Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Jimmy Butler only finished with 13 points.

Game 2 of the Finals is on Sunday, June 4.