Game 2 of the NBA Finals is officially in the books, with the Miami Heat bouncing back after a loss in Game 1 to get the best of the Denver Nuggets and even the series at one game apiece before heading to the Kayesa Center for Game 3 and Game 4.
Although the Nuggets remained the favorite in this series and were the favorite to come out on top in Game 2 at Ball Arena in Denver, the Heat proved to be too much to handle, resulting in the first loss at home for the Nuggets during these NBA playoffs.
Things could’ve easily gone differently despite falling to the Heat in Game 2, especially if Nuggets head coach Mike Malone had called a timeout on the final play, according to Emmanuel Acho of Fox Sports.
.@EmmanuelAcho: Michael Malone should've called a timeout on the final play.
"To me, it was conceding defeat to Erik Spoelstra's mind." pic.twitter.com/SkGbZCzt4l
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) June 5, 2023
Acho has an interesting point, as it does appear Malone didn’t want to have a battle of the clipboards with Erik Spoelstra to finish Game 2.
Although Malone is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the league today, Spoelstra is arguably the best coach in the league, if not in the conversation for the distinction as the best leader on the sideline in the NBA.
That said, it’s not surprising that Malone would go with the route he chose rather than trying to outwit or outcoach Spoelstra, who has won two titles as a head coach and one as an assistant in Miami.
It’ll be interesting to see if this series ends up coming down to two great coaches battling it out and who ultimately ends up on top.
NEXT: Joy Taylor Reacts To The Heat Winning Game 2 Over The Nuggets
