denver nuggets vs miami heat match player stats

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Match Player Stats

The denver nuggets vs miami heat match player stats from the November 5, 2025 meeting at Ball Arena tell a much deeper story than the final 122-112 score. Denver won the game through a combination of Nikola Jokic’s all-around production, a major rebounding advantage, strong interior scoring, and timely contributions from Aaron Gordon and the second unit. Miami had several productive individual performances, particularly from Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kel’el Ware, but the Heat struggled to control the glass and lost an important interior matchup after Bam Adebayo left the game early. The official NBA record confirms Denver’s 122-112 victory, with Jokic finishing with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 16 assists.

Table of Contents

Game Overview

The contest took place at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, with an announced attendance of 19,862. Denver entered the matchup with a 5-2 record and a perfect 4-0 home mark, while Miami was 4-4 overall and 2-4 on the road.

The final score was:

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Miami Heat 33 27 26 26 112
Denver Nuggets 36 32 33 21 122

Denver controlled the first three quarters, building a 17-point advantage at one stage before Miami reduced the margin late in the fourth. The Nuggets ultimately protected the lead and closed the game with a 10-point victory. The official NBA game record confirms 11 lead changes and eight ties, showing that the game was competitive early even though Denver created separation before the final period.

The most important statistical difference was rebounding. Denver finished with 61 rebounds compared with Miami’s 38. That 23-rebound gap provided Denver with additional possessions and helped the Nuggets maintain pressure around the basket.

Denver also scored 62 points in the paint compared with 42 for Miami. That interior advantage was especially significant because Denver was not particularly efficient from three-point range, shooting 11-of-40 from beyond the arc.

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Match Player Stats

The individual numbers explain why Denver was able to win despite shooting only 28% from three-point range.

Nikola Jokic produced the game’s defining statistical performance, while Aaron Gordon gave Denver an efficient scoring option. Tim Hardaway Jr. provided valuable bench scoring, and Christian Braun contributed across several categories.

Miami, meanwhile, received 23 points from Norman Powell and 22 from Andrew Wiggins. Jaime Jaquez Jr. also delivered an efficient 21-point performance, while Kel’el Ware posted a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Denver Nuggets Player Stats

Player PTS FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK +/-
Nikola Jokic 33 12-18 2-5 7-8 15 16 3 1 +18
Aaron Gordon 24 9-16 1-5 5-6 6 1 0 0 +8
Tim Hardaway Jr. 18 7-12 4-9 0-0 3 0 0 0 Not listed
Jamal Murray 14 4-15 1-8 5-5 8 3 0 0 +6
Christian Braun 11 5-14 0-3 1-1 8 7 0 0 +14
Cameron Johnson 9 3-10 2-5 1-2 2 1 0 0 +8
Bruce Brown 5 2-7 1-3 0-0 3 2 2 0 +3
Peyton Watson 2 Not provided Not provided Not provided 10 3 0 2 +2

The most obvious takeaway is Jokic’s statistical versatility. He was not simply Denver’s leading scorer. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists while also producing three steals.

That combination is rare even among elite offensive players.

Nikola Jokic’s Triple-Double Performance

Jokic finished with:

  • 33 points
  • 15 rebounds
  • 16 assists
  • 12-of-18 field goals
  • 2-of-5 three-pointers
  • 7-of-8 free throws
  • 5 offensive rebounds
  • 10 defensive rebounds
  • 3 steals
  • 3 turnovers
  • +18 plus/minus

The 33-15-16 line is the central statistical story of the game.

Jokic also reached his triple-double during the third quarter. The official NBA report noted that he secured the necessary rebound with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.

His shooting efficiency was equally important. Jokic converted 12 of 18 field-goal attempts, which is 66.7%. He also made 7 of 8 free throws.

What makes the performance particularly interesting is that his offensive influence did not depend on high-volume three-point shooting. He attempted only five threes. Instead, Denver repeatedly benefited from his ability to score near the basket, draw defensive attention, and create opportunities for teammates.

His 16 assists also explain Denver’s 33 total assists. Jokic’s passing allowed Denver to generate efficient shots without requiring every possession to end with a difficult isolation attempt.

The official Denver team report described Jokic’s performance as 33 points, 15 rebounds, 16 assists, three steals, and one block.

Aaron Gordon Provides Efficient Scoring

Aaron Gordon finished with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist.

He shot 9-of-16 from the field, 1-of-5 from three-point range, and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.

His 24 points were especially valuable because Denver did not receive a highly efficient scoring night from Jamal Murray.

Gordon’s production also gave Miami another physical matchup to deal with. When Jokic drew attention around the interior, Gordon could attack space, finish near the basket, and take advantage of defensive rotations.

This type of complementary scoring is important in games where the opposing defense is focused heavily on Jokic.

Tim Hardaway Jr. Gives Denver a Bench Boost

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 18 points in a highly efficient shooting performance.

He made 7 of 12 field-goal attempts and 4 of 9 three-point attempts.

That means Hardaway Jr. converted 58.3% of his field goals and 44.4% from three.

His contribution mattered because Denver needed perimeter scoring while its overall three-point percentage remained modest.

The official Denver report also highlighted Hardaway Jr.’s 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including four made three-pointers.

His role was different from Jokic’s. Jokic created advantages through passing and interior offense, while Hardaway Jr. provided spacing and perimeter shot-making.

That combination gave Denver multiple ways to attack.

Christian Braun’s All-Around Contribution

Christian Braun scored 11 points, but his value was not limited to scoring.

He recorded:

  • 11 points
  • 8 rebounds
  • 7 assists
  • 5-of-14 shooting
  • +14 plus/minus

The seven assists are particularly notable for a player who was not the primary offensive creator.

Braun also helped Denver dominate the possession battle through his eight rebounds.

His +14 plus/minus was one of Denver’s better marks and reflected the broader impact of his minutes.

Jamal Murray’s Mixed Offensive Night

Jamal Murray finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

His shooting line was less efficient:

  • 4-of-15 field goals
  • 1-of-8 three-pointers
  • 5-of-5 free throws

Murray therefore shot only 26.7% from the field and 12.5% from three.

Yet Denver still won comfortably.

That is an important lesson when reading the box score. A team does not necessarily need every major scorer to shoot efficiently when other parts of the lineup are producing.

Murray also contributed eight rebounds and made all five of his free throws.

Miami Heat Player Stats

Miami had several strong individual performances, but the distribution of production changed significantly as the game developed.

Player PTS FG 3PT FT REB AST STL BLK +/-
Norman Powell 23 5-15 4-8 9-9 2 0 0 0 -5
Andrew Wiggins 22 9-13 3-4 1-2 4 5 2 1 -1
Jaime Jaquez Jr. 21 9-14 1-5 2-2 3 2 1 0 -5
Kel’el Ware 13 4-6 2-4 3-4 13 0 4 1 -14
Davion Mitchell 10 4-6 1-2 1-2 3 9 0 0 -1
Pelle Larsson 6 1-4 0-3 4-4 3 3 0 0 -8
Simone Fontecchio 5 2-7 1-2 0-0 2 2 1 1 -2
Nikola Jovic 5 1-6 1-4 2-2 3 3 0 0 -8
Dru Smith 5 2-6 1-4 0-0 2 2 3 1 -9
Bam Adebayo 2 1-5 Not listed Not listed 1 0 0 0 +4
Keshad Johnson 0 0-4 0-3 0-0 2 0 1 0 -1

Miami’s overall shooting was respectable.

The Heat shot 38-of-86 from the field for 44.2%, made 14 of 41 three-point attempts for 34.1%, and converted 22 of 25 free throws for 88%.

The problem was not simply shooting.

The larger issue was the difference in rebounding and interior scoring.

Norman Powell Leads Miami in Scoring

Norman Powell finished as Miami’s leading scorer with 23 points.

He shot 5-of-15 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point range. He also went 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.

His free-throw accuracy helped keep Miami within striking distance late.

Powell opened the game with a three-pointer, giving Miami an early 3-0 lead. The official play-by-play records the opening sequence and shows Powell scoring Miami’s first points.

However, his overall field-goal percentage was only 33.3%.

That distinction matters. A player’s final scoring total can look strong while the underlying shooting efficiency tells a more complicated story.

Andrew Wiggins Delivers an Efficient 22 Points

Andrew Wiggins was arguably one of Miami’s most efficient offensive players in the matchup.

He finished with:

  • 22 points
  • 9-of-13 field goals
  • 3-of-4 three-pointers
  • 1-of-2 free throws
  • 4 rebounds
  • 5 assists
  • 2 steals
  • 1 block

Wiggins shot 69.2% from the field and 75% from three.

He also contributed as a passer and defender.

This is one reason the Heat were able to remain competitive despite Denver’s strong control of the game.

Wiggins did not need a large number of attempts to score 22 points. His 13 field-goal attempts produced an efficient offensive contribution.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. Keeps Miami Competitive

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting.

He also recorded 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

His field-goal percentage was 64.3%, making him another highly efficient Miami scorer.

Jaquez was especially important in the fourth quarter as Miami attempted to cut into Denver’s lead.

The official game record shows that Miami reduced the deficit late, but Denver had enough control to close the game.

Kel’el Ware’s Double-Double

Kel’el Ware produced one of Miami’s most interesting statistical lines.

He finished with:

  • 13 points
  • 13 rebounds
  • 4-of-6 shooting
  • 2-of-4 three-point shooting
  • 3-of-4 free throws
  • 4 steals
  • 1 block

His 13 rebounds tied him for Miami’s team lead in an individual category while his four steals were also a team high.

Yet his -14 plus/minus was the lowest among Miami’s listed players.

This illustrates why plus/minus should not be treated as a complete evaluation of an individual player.

Ware produced strong counting statistics, but Miami’s overall lineups still lost the possession and interior battle during his minutes.

Davion Mitchell’s Nine Assists

Davion Mitchell recorded 10 points and 9 assists.

He shot 4-of-6 from the field and 1-of-2 from three.

His nine assists were the highest total on Miami.

That was an important contribution because Miami needed additional playmaking after Adebayo’s early departure.

Mitchell’s passing helped distribute the offense, but Denver’s 33 total assists compared with Miami’s 26 indicate that the Nuggets generated more overall assisted offense.

Bam Adebayo’s Early Exit Changed the Game

One of the most important contextual details in the denver nuggets vs miami heat match player stats is Bam Adebayo’s limited participation.

Adebayo played only part of the first quarter and did not return after experiencing pain in his left foot. The NBA’s report stated that he was expected to undergo further testing.

He finished with just 2 points, 1 rebound, and 1-of-5 shooting.

The significance of his absence becomes clearer when looking at the team rebounding totals.

Denver finished with 61 rebounds.

Miami finished with 38.

That is a 23-rebound difference.

Adebayo is normally one of Miami’s major interior players, so his early exit created a difficult matchup problem against a Denver team featuring Jokic.

It would be inaccurate to say that the entire 10-point margin was caused by Adebayo’s absence. Denver had several other advantages, including efficient scoring from Jokic and Gordon, 62 points in the paint, and a deeper rebounding contribution.

However, his early departure clearly changed Miami’s interior rotation.

Team Shooting Comparison

The shooting numbers were surprisingly close in some categories.

Category Miami Heat Denver Nuggets
Field Goals 38-86 43-101
FG% 44.2% 42.6%
3PT 14-41 11-40
3PT% 34.1% 27.5%
FT 22-25 25-28
FT% 88.0% 89.3%
Rebounds 38 61
Assists 26 33
Turnovers 14 16
Steals 13 10
Blocks 4 4
Points 112 122

At first glance, Miami’s 44.2% field-goal percentage compared favorably with Denver’s 42.6%.

Miami also shot better from three.

So why did Denver win by 10?

The answer is volume and possessions.

Denver attempted 101 field goals compared with Miami’s 86.

That is 15 more field-goal attempts.

The Nuggets also made five more field goals overall.

Much of that advantage came from rebounding.

When a team controls the offensive glass, it can create additional shot attempts without necessarily shooting a better percentage.

The Rebounding Gap Was the Biggest Statistical Difference

Denver’s 61 rebounds compared with Miami’s 38 is arguably the clearest explanation for the result.

The Nuggets recorded 5 offensive rebounds and 56 defensive rebounds according to the supplied player-level totals and team box score structure.

Miami had only 5 offensive rebounds and 33 defensive rebounds.

Denver therefore prevented Miami from generating second-chance opportunities while creating additional opportunities for itself.

The NBA’s official game summary also specifically noted the 61-38 rebounding advantage.

For readers studying box scores, this is an important lesson.

Field-goal percentage tells you how efficiently a team converted attempts.

It does not tell you how many opportunities each team created.

Denver created more opportunities.

That helped offset its weaker three-point shooting.

Denver’s Interior Scoring Made the Difference

Denver scored 62 points in the paint.

Miami scored 42.

That is a 20-point advantage inside.

The Nuggets did not need to win the three-point battle because they consistently found scoring opportunities closer to the basket.

Jokic’s post scoring, passing, touch around the rim, and ability to draw multiple defenders created a central problem for Miami.

Gordon also benefited from Denver’s interior pressure.

The result was a Denver offense that could continue producing points even while shooting 27.5% from three.

This is a useful example of why three-point percentage alone should not be used to explain an NBA game.

How Denver Won Despite Poor Three-Point Shooting

Denver made only 11 of 40 three-point attempts.

That is 27.5%.

Miami made 14 of 41, or 34.1%.

Normally, that type of perimeter advantage can help a team win.

But Denver compensated in several other ways.

1. Denver Controlled the Glass

The 61-38 rebounding advantage created additional possessions.

2. Denver Scored More Inside

The Nuggets produced 62 points in the paint compared with Miami’s 42.

3. Jokic Created Efficient Offense

Jokic’s 12-of-18 shooting combined with 16 assists gave Denver a highly efficient primary offensive engine.

4. Denver Got Complementary Scoring

Gordon scored 24.

Hardaway Jr. scored 18.

Murray scored 14.

Braun scored 11.

Cameron Johnson added 9.

That gave Denver multiple contributors.

5. Free Throws Were Nearly Even in Efficiency

Denver shot 89.3% from the free-throw line.

Miami shot 88%.

Neither team had a major free-throw efficiency advantage.

The difference came elsewhere.

The Fourth Quarter Requires Context

The fourth-quarter score was Miami 26, Denver 21.

That means Miami actually outscored Denver in the final period.

If someone looked only at the fourth quarter, the Heat appeared to have the momentum.

But the game had already been shaped by the first three quarters.

Denver entered the fourth quarter with a significant advantage after scoring 36, 32, and 33 points in the first three periods.

Miami scored 33, 27, and 26.

The cumulative difference entering the final period was enough for Denver to withstand Miami’s late push.

The official NBA game chart records Denver’s largest lead at 17 points.

Miami eventually cut the margin, but Denver made the necessary plays late.

Jamal Murray converted two free throws with 32.3 seconds remaining, pushing Denver’s lead back to 10 points and effectively ending Miami’s comeback attempt.

What the Plus/Minus Numbers Tell Us

Plus/minus can be useful when combined with other statistics, but it should not be treated as an individual player rating.

For Denver:

  • Jokic: +18
  • Braun: +14
  • Gordon: +8
  • Cameron Johnson: +8
  • Murray: +6
  • Bruce Brown: +3
  • Peyton Watson: +2

For Miami:

  • Adebayo: +4
  • Wiggins: -1
  • Mitchell: -1
  • Keshad Johnson: -1
  • Fontecchio: -2
  • Powell: -5
  • Jaquez Jr.: -5
  • Larsson: -8
  • Jovic: -8
  • Dru Smith: -9
  • Ware: -14

The unusual part is Adebayo’s positive plus/minus despite playing only briefly.

Ware’s -14 also stands out despite his 13 points, 13 rebounds, four steals, and one block.

This is exactly why plus/minus should be read alongside minutes, lineup context, shooting, rebounding, and the game situation.

Why Jokic’s Passing Was So Important

The 16 assists deserve special attention.

Denver finished with 33 assists as a team, meaning Jokic was directly responsible for nearly half of the team’s assists.

His passing created several types of advantages.

First, double teams became risky.

Second, cutters could attack open space.

Third, Denver could move the ball without relying on difficult isolation possessions.

Fourth, Jokic’s rebounding allowed him to immediately initiate offense after defensive possessions.

His 15 rebounds and 16 assists therefore worked together.

He was not simply finishing Denver’s possessions.

He was helping start them.

That two-way influence is one of the defining features of this particular box score.

Miami’s Strong Individual Shooting Was Not Enough

Miami had three players who scored at least 21 points:

  • Norman Powell: 23
  • Andrew Wiggins: 22
  • Jaime Jaquez Jr.: 21

Together, those three players produced 66 points.

That is almost 59% of Miami’s 112 points.

Wiggins and Jaquez were particularly efficient.

Wiggins shot 9-of-13.

Jaquez shot 9-of-14.

Powell supplied 23 points but required 15 field-goal attempts and leaned heavily on free throws, making all nine attempts.

The issue was not a complete lack of individual scoring.

The issue was that Miami did not generate enough collective production to match Denver’s rebounding, interior scoring, and Jokic-led playmaking.

What the Matchup Reveals About Team Construction

The game provides a useful example of how different skill sets interact.

Denver had a dominant offensive hub in Jokic.

Miami had multiple scoring options.

But Denver’s structure produced advantages in areas that are difficult to overcome without interior stability.

The Nuggets had:

  • A 23-rebound advantage
  • A 20-point paint-scoring advantage
  • Seven more assists
  • More total field-goal attempts
  • A triple-double from Jokic
  • 24 points from Gordon
  • 18 bench points from Hardaway Jr.

Miami had:

  • Better three-point percentage
  • Better overall field-goal percentage
  • 13 steals compared with Denver’s 10
  • Strong individual shooting from Wiggins and Jaquez
  • 23 points from Powell
  • 13 rebounds from Ware

The difference was that Denver’s advantages were concentrated in possession generation and interior control.

Key Takeaways From the Box Score

The most important findings from the denver nuggets vs miami heat match player stats can be summarized in several points.

Nikola Jokic Was the Central Statistical Figure

His 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 16 assists gave Denver production in three major categories.

Denver Won the Possession Battle

The 61-38 rebounding difference was enormous.

Miami Shot Better From Three

The Heat made 14 of 41 threes compared with Denver’s 11 of 40.

Denver Won Inside

The Nuggets scored 62 points in the paint.

Miami Had Multiple Efficient Scorers

Wiggins and Jaquez were particularly effective from the field.

Bam Adebayo’s Early Exit Was Significant

His limited playing time left Miami without one of its primary interior players for most of the contest.

Denver Had More Balanced Production

Jokic led the way, but Gordon, Hardaway Jr., Murray, Braun, and others all contributed.

Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat Match Player Stats: Frequently Asked Questions

Who led the Nuggets in scoring against the Heat?

Nikola Jokic led Denver with 33 points. He also recorded 15 rebounds and 16 assists.

Who led the Heat in scoring?

Norman Powell led Miami with 23 points. He made 5 of 15 field-goal attempts, 4 of 8 three-point attempts, and all nine of his free throws.

What was Nikola Jokic’s stat line?

Jokic finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds, 16 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block. He shot 12-of-18 from the field, 2-of-5 from three, and 7-of-8 at the free-throw line.

What was the final score?

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 122-112.

Which team had more rebounds?

Denver had 61 rebounds, while Miami had 38. The Nuggets therefore held a 23-rebound advantage.

Why was Bam Adebayo’s absence important?

Adebayo left the game during the first quarter after experiencing pain in his left foot and did not return. Miami subsequently faced Denver without one of its key interior players for most of the game.

Conclusion

The denver nuggets vs miami heat match player stats show that Denver’s 122-112 win was built on much more than one player’s scoring.

Nikola Jokic delivered the headline performance with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 16 assists, but the Nuggets also received 24 points from Aaron Gordon, 18 from Tim Hardaway Jr., 14 from Jamal Murray, and 11 from Christian Braun.

Miami had productive performances of its own. Norman Powell scored 23, Andrew Wiggins added 22 on highly efficient shooting, Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 21, and Kel’el Ware recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The decisive statistical difference was the battle for possessions and interior control.

Denver outrebounded Miami 61-38 and scored 62 points in the paint. Those advantages allowed the Nuggets to overcome a lower three-point percentage and create enough scoring opportunities to maintain control for most of the game.

For anyone studying this matchup, the most useful lesson is to read the full box score rather than focusing only on points. Shooting efficiency, rebounding, assists, turnovers, free throws, paint scoring, and player availability all contributed to the final result.

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