Playoff Games – Page 6

The Miami Heat’s Secret Weapon for a Title? Zone Defense.

The odds are against the Heat in their N.B.A. finals matchup with the Denver Nuggets. But the maligned zone defense may be their secret weapon.

By Scott Cacciola

Basketball Butler, Jimmy Denver Nuggets Gordon, Aaron (1995- ) Jokic, Nikola (1995- ) Lowry, Kyle (1986- ) Malone, Michael (1971- ) Miami Heat Murray, Jamal (1997- ) Playoff Games

Jamal Murray’s Triple-Double Helps Nuggets Beat Miami Heat in Game 2

Murray is often overshadowed by his teammate Nikola Jokic, but he has proved his value in leading the Nuggets to a 2-1 lead over the Heat in the N.B.A. finals.

By Tania Ganguli

Basketball Hockey, Ice Playoff Games Sinner, Jannik (2001- ) Tennis Wang Xinyu (2001- )

Winners Get Their Due. But Losers Are Wonderfully Human.

There’s glory in defeat. Losses, at least, make athletes more relatable to the rest of us.

By Kurt Streeter

Basketball Butler, Jimmy Denver Nuggets Gordon, Aaron (1995- ) Jokic, Nikola (1995- ) Love, Kevin Malone, Michael (1971- ) Miami Heat Murray, Jamal (1997- ) National Basketball Assn NBA Championship Playoff Games Porter, Michael Jr (1998- ) Spoelstra, Erik Strus, Max

The Heat, a Long Shot in the Playoffs, Pull Even with Long Shots

Miami, usually outgunned by the Denver offense, made 17 3-pointers to even the N.B.A. Finals series at one game apiece.

By Sopan Deb