GOLDEN STATE, California – The visiting Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat with the score of 112 to 108 on Monday night thanks to Nikola Jokic’s 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 17 points from Michael Porter Jr.

The Nuggets were led by Bruce Brown’s 16 points, Jeff Green’s 12, and the ten points each from Vlatko Cancar, Christian Braun, and Thomas Bryant.

Miami was led by Jimmy Butler’s 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, Max Strus’ 23 points, Bam Adebayo’s 19 points, Gabe Vincent’s 15 points, and Jamaree Bouyea’s 10 points.

Monday night, both clubs were without several important players. Aaron Gordon missed his second straight game due to a left rib contusion, and Jamal Murray missed his sixth straight game due to right knee irritation for Denver.

Victor Oladipo, Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro were all sidelined for the Heat due to injuries to their left knees (right ankle sprain).

Prior to the Nuggets’ surge in the final 12 minutes of the first half, Miami had a lead of up to 11 points in the first quarter and was up 36-27 going into the second. At the half, Denver led 65 to 62 thanks to Jokic’s 11 points and Porter’s six points in the second quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Heat came within six points of the Nuggets’ 85 to 75 advantage from late in the third quarter.

Denver led 91 to 83, but Miami scored the next seven baskets to close the gap to one point. With 7:45 left, the Nuggets were in front 97 to 94 after a few possessions during which it hovered within three points.

With 5:23 remaining, Porter made a basket to increase the score to 103 to 96 after Braun’s putback was sparked by Porter’s steal. With 3:34 remaining, the score was 108-101 after the teams swapped corner 3-pointers.

With 1:41 remaining, the score was 11 to 104 after the Heat made three free throws to narrow the margin to four points, Jokic made a basket, and Butler made an offensive save to preserve the score.

Miami couldn’t score on its subsequent possession after Brown missed a 25-footer, Adebayo scored a 7-foot bank shot, and Brown missed once more. With 16 seconds remaining, Porter missed a three-point attempt, but the Heat were unable to capitalize on the next Miami possession, and Denver eventually won the game.