For the first time in the playoffs, the Miami Heat lost the first game of their series on Thursday in Denver. The Nuggets prevailed 104-93 and took the lead in the NBA Finals.

Jimmy Butler’s gang attempted to become the first team in league history to win four away No. 1 games in a single year.

However, the Nuggets stuck to their game plan in front of their fans, despite a 10-day break since their last meeting, and muzzled Butler, limiting him to 13 small points.

For his part, Canadian Jamal Murray did not give up. He had 26 points to extend his game streak of at least 25 points in sixes, his longest career streak of that kind.

His great accomplice Nikola Jokic also recognized the importance of the mission in the first duel in the history of the Nuggets in the final. He managed another triple-double – his ninth playoff game – and amassed 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Heat put almost all their eggs in one basket, mostly aiming for the outer basket and only very rarely attacking the bottle. The proof: The Florida team was entitled to just two free throws throughout the entire encounter, the lowest total for a playoff game in NBA history.

The Nuggets, on the other hand, caused headaches for the guests with their varied offensive. They won the first three quarters and built up a 21-point lead by the final game.

In a losing cause, Bam Adebayo was the Heat’s brightest star with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Michael Porter Jr., Jokic and Murray all spent over 40 minutes on the Nuggets’ court.

Game 2 of the Finals takes place on Sunday, again in Denver.