Nuggets fans rush into Ball Arena for a watch party held for Denver fans for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Brody Ayala, 8, puts on a large hat for a photo before the start of a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Fans walk past a Denver Nuggets poster during a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets hangs from the rim as he warms up before the tip against the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets defends Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives as Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat defends in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets reacts after knocking Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat to the deck in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets scores over Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat forces a jump ball against Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spolestra reacts to a foul call on Gabe Vincent (2) after he made contact with Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works around a screen set by Bam Adebayo (13) for Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets jacks over Max Strus (31) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate during a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena in Denver as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat misses as Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets defends at the cup in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives as Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat defends in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets claps after Jamal Murray (27) made a shot as Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat walks to the bench for a timeout in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat celebrates hitting a three pointer over Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets prepare to lead their teams in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 7: Cody Zeller (44) of the Miami Heat points towards his team鈥檚 offensive end after Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets turned the ball over on a play unrelated to the contributions of the masked Miami big man in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets fouls Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat as Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets gets called for an offensive foul as Cody Zeller (44) of the Miami Heat flails in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat reacts to fouling Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets checks his arms for scratches in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets dunks against the Miami Heat in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate a slam dunk during a watch party Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets takes a double team from Bam Adebayo (13) and Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat reacts to fouling Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone argues with referee Josh Tiven (58) in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works as Kyle Lowry (7) and Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat defend in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat roars after a put-back dunk over Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Cody Zeller (44) of the Miami Heat in the first quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets forces a miss by Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the second quarter during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Casey Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) and Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets lick their chops as they prepare to re-enter the action against the Miami Heat in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets dishes as Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat defends in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat knocks a rebound away from Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets as teammates look on in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets works against Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets scores over Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans cheer at a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
A fan cheers during a watch party form Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets dishes as Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat defends in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Gabe Vincent (2) of the Miami Heat shoots as Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets defends in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets out hustles Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat for a loose ball in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat fouls Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets aggressively in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kyle Lowry (7) of the Miami Heat drives as Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets steals the angle in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans reach for T-shirts during a watch party Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets wears a wrap on his hand and wrist in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win over the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets runs in transition as Caleb Martin (16) of the Miami Heat trails in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Mascot Rocky waves a flag as fans cheer during a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate at a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets gets a helping hand from Bruce Brown (11) in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win over the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets keeps Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat honest in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 7: Jamal Murray (27) and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets defend a shot by Max Strus (31) of the Miami Heat in the third quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) and Ish Smith (14) cheer for Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets after he finished on Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat with ample contact in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate during a watch party at Ball Arena in Denver for Game 3 of the NBA Finals as the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) and Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets defend Duncan Robinson (55) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) and Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets defend Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets points like a large general in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win over the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets reaches as Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat dribbles in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets finishes with contact from Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets smiles with boyish glee after finishing with contact over Jimmy Butler (22) of the Miami Heat like a grown man in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate at a watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets smiles as he is greeted by former teammate Monte Morris after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets鈥� 104-94 win over the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Fans celebrate during a watch party Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The Nuggets defeated the Heat, 109-94. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
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Nuggets fans rush into Ball Arena for a watch party held for Denver fans for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Ball Arena as the the Denver Nuggets take on the Miami Heat on the road on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo by Grace Smith/The Denver Post)
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Grace Smith | gsmith@denverpost.com
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
MIAMI 鈥� The only thing coursing through the white-hot crowd was an artificial bass.
The Nuggets stormed into South Beach and stomped the life out of the crowd on Wednesday night.
With surgical passing and physical, hard-nosed play, the Nuggets seized control of the NBA Finals with a dominant 109-94 win in Game 3. Behind dueling triple-doubles from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Denver鈥檚 two franchise pillars, the Nuggets wrested homecourt advantage back from Miami after ceding it in Game 2.
