The ripple effects of cross-matches for the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals

The Denver Nuggets looked too big for the Miami Heat in game one of the NBA Finals. Cross-matches exasperated an already undersized front court and the Denver Nuggets were surgical in the way that they capitalized on those cross-matches. But there are ripple effects to the Heat’s fear of getting cross-matched or beat in transition. In game one, those ripple effects including a lack of paint pressure and offensive rebounding. To apply more pressure in either direction carries equal risk.

That is one of many topics on THE LIST, a film study on the Denver Nuggets in the style of a video podcast.

0:00 – Intro
0:33 – How Jokic and Murray adjusted to the Heat’s defense on the very first possession
1:50 – Miami allowed Jokic to control the rhythm of the Heat’s offense (and how they should counter in game 2)
4:53 – The ripple effects of cross-matching for the Heat
6:55 – Why the Heat’s game one starting lineup cannot switch anything against Denver’s starting lineup.
9:01 – Michael Porter Jr.’s signature off-ball play
11:30 – To single or double Jokic in the post?
12:53 – Michael Porter Jr.’s length and elite defensive impact in game one
14:20 – KCP sprinting to the corners