MIAMI — An unlikely hero emerged for the Nuggets in Game 4.
Denver is just one win away from the first NBA championship in its 47-year franchise history thanks to Aaron Gordon. The forward playing in his 9th season helped carry the Nuggets in their 108-95 win over the Miami Heat on Friday night.
With the victory, Denver takes a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
Gordon's performance — which entailed a game-high 27 points, 15 of which were scored in the second quarter alone — helped keep Denver afloat in a game in which Nikola Jokic ran into foul trouble and Jamal Murray was unable to break out.
"Aaron did it all for us tonight. He really did," coach Michael Malone said. "I couldn't be more proud of Aaron Gordon and his impact that he had tonight."
Jokic finished the game with a double-double composed of 23 points and 12 rebounds, sitting on the bench for the latter part of the game with five fouls.
Bruce Brown, who played his college ball in Miami, scored 21 points for Denver off the bench.
"That's how this team is built. We have guys that came step up night-in and night-out," Gordon said. "When it comes down to it, it's just wanting to be great for my teammates...doing it for my brothers."
The Nuggets can capture their first title in front of their home crowd Monday night, when Game 5 tips off at 6:30 p.m. (MT) at Ball Arena.
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