NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 4, 2023

Gabe Vincent

Miami Heat

Game 2: Postgame

Miami Heat 111, Denver Nuggets 108

Q. Gabe, is this series similar to Milwaukee at all, just you finding those comfortable shots you can just drop and just taking the shots and being confident?

GABE VINCENT: I don't think so. I'd say no just because Jokic switches up what he does in pick-and-roll a lot. You know, they kind of keep you thinking, so I'm just trying to be aggressive and find my spots when I can.

Q. When Duncan has that run to start the fourth quarter and he ends with the and-one and is mean-mugging to you guys on the bench, what does that do for you guys confidence-wise after being down for so long, you're finally able to wrestle the lead back there?

GABE VINCENT: Duncan came in and was a huge spark for us. He's ignitable. We have a number of guys that are like that, but he does it in a special way. And, you know, when he starts cutting to the rim and finishing at the basket, it helps a lot, too.

Q. Fourth quarter, you guys made nine out of your first ten shots, scored 11 of your first 14 possessions and got into the penalty in four minutes. So what was really clicking those first four minutes in terms of ball movement, player movement?

GABE VINCENT: Yeah, I think it was the result of 48 minutes of doing it. You know, we just had to work the game, and we'll continue to do so and just try to continue to play good basketball.

Q. What do you think, just we've seen over and over from you guys, what makes you so capable of getting knocked down and being able to come back and come back stronger and respond the way you guys have over and over?

GABE VINCENT: It's just part of our DNA, for one. You know, everyone on this team has battled through adversity in some manner and been knocked down and had to get back up.

And for number two, we have a lot of experience in these close games. So when it comes down to the wire, we are strangely comfortable.

Q. What do you think it says about this team, you're able to kind of switch Caleb and Kevin in and out of the starting lineup, and both those guys have just plugged in seamlessly into whatever role?

GABE VINCENT: I think that everyone that's got a jersey on is willing to give in to whatever we need to try to help us get a win. I think that helps a lot, whether it's Kevin and Caleb or Max or Duncan or myself or Kyle. You go down the roster, and guys are just willing to give in, and I think that's huge.

Q. Coach was saying it's really impossible to describe the responsibilities Bam has in this series. How would you sum up his contributions and what you've seen these first two games?

GABE VINCENT: I think Spo said it well. It's hard to sum it up. Bam's been great. He's been relentless. He's got a tall task, obviously, matching up with Jokic, and we still rely on him and turn to him to do a number of things on us for both sides of the ball and he's been stepping up.

Q. Denver still had an offensive rating of 125, pretty good for them, but when you guys are making your runs, especially in the fourth, what are you doing on defense to get them sped especially?

GABE VINCENT: I think just in general, we just competed harder today. I don't know if it was any direct scheme or direct thing we did outside of just being a little more intentional and a little more focused and playing just a bit harder. Playing a little -- just competing a little bit more.

Q. Spo was in here talking about the progress that you made having to go from basically a 2-guard to a 1 guard with different responsibilities, different role. He said he thinks that's the toughest thing in this league. Can you tell us how that went? Was it a steady progression? Did you have any hiccups along the way? How difficult was it for you?

GABE VINCENT: It definitely wasn't easy. The staff was great with me, whether it was film or getting in the gym, and my teammates have been phenomenal, coaching me up, telling me to be more aggressive when I'm questioning it or trying to think, should I pass first.

And our stars, Jimmy, Kyle, Bam, they have just been in my ear and telling me just to play, play basketball. They trust my IQ of the game, and they want me just to go out there and play hard.

Q. You were obviously with the team in the bubble but they weren't at home. Especially winning this game the way you did, what do you anticipate seeing and hearing and feeling Wednesday night?

GABE VINCENT: It's going to be a different game entirely. I think every game will be different this series, especially, and it will be great to be back home to start with, be back in front of our fans, it will be an awesome environment, great experience. It's going to be a battle. They are going to bring everything they got and we'd better do the same.