NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 11, 2023

Bruce Brown

Denver Nuggets

Practice Day

Q. Your opponent has a reputation for being at their best when they're underdogs, when their backs are against the wall. They've thrived on that this postseason. Then you combine what people historically say the closeout games are the toughest. What's the key to getting this done given all the factors against you?

BRUCE BROWN: Yeah, we can't be worried about that. We know we're playing against a great team. Obviously, they've been doubted the whole year and they made it this far for a reason. We've got to be focused, bring energy and still know our personnel extremely well and just be focused on winning the game.

Q. How is your mind in a moment so important like this for you, for the city, for the franchise? How is your mind one day before the game?

BRUCE BROWN: I think about it when it's time. I don't think about it 24/7. When I'm home, just chill with my dog. My family is in town.

But when it's time to lock in, I'll lock in.

Q. Jamal, the way he's been facilitating for you guys, how would you describe the way he's been able to get you guys the basketball in positions to score lately?

BRUCE BROWN: Yeah, just like Jok, he's making the game extremely easy for us. He's penetrating the defense. They're putting two on him and he's finding the open man.

If they're going to do that, everybody else on the floor has to do their part. So look for him to do that every game.

Q. We've heard a lot about Peyton Watson behind the scenes. I'm curious what you've seen from him in terms of his development, and even though he's not on the court right now playing, how valuable is this experience for him?

BRUCE BROWN: Yeah, P-Wat is going to be extremely good. He's putting in the work. He's coming in early. He's putting weight on. He's working on his three-point shot. But when he gets his chance, he's going to thrive.

Q. You guys did what these days is considered almost unthinkable. You won a game, Game 3, with just five three-pointers. What is the key to winning when maybe the three-point shot is off? How important do you see attacking the rim and keeping them honest inside?

BRUCE BROWN: Yeah, I don't think it's just us scoring the ball. It's our defense. We've held them in the 90s the last few games and that's why we've won the game. So it's been the defensive end.

Q. Great fourth quarter the other night, obviously 11 points, 21 for the game. A couple of instances there where you got matched up with Duncan Robinson. Is that a matchup you just have to look to attack?

BRUCE BROWN: I mean, I guess. I was just trying to be aggressive no matter who was in front of me. Duncan just happened to be the player there. He tries hard on defense. No disrespect to him. We've definitely had our matchups when we were younger back in New England. But it was just whoever was in front of me, attack.

Q. I know you said you don't think about it all the time, but when you do think about what the atmosphere will be like tomorrow night here in this building with a chance to do something that's never been done here? What do you see and what do you feel?

BRUCE BROWN: I was thinking about what color shirts they were going to be wearing earlier today when I first walked in the arena. But it's going to be crazy. It's going to be loud. The fans are going to be here probably early. But I can't wait. I feed off their energy, so hopefully it's going to be a big night.