MIAMI − Denver Nuggets reserve Bruce Brown scored 26 points in the first three games of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.
In Game 4 − when the Nuggets needed an additional scorer − Brown scored 21 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, as Denver pulled away for a 108-95 victory and a 3-1 series lead.
“Bruce Brown in the fourth quarter was amazing,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “They were giving Jamal (Murray) so much attention that, ‘Let’s get Jamal off the ball, let Bruce make some plays.’ He was aggressive, got to the basket, made shots, and tonight was an impressive performance.”
It was the second consecutive game the Nuggets received a prominent performance from the bench. In Game 3, Christian Braun had 15 points, and in Game 4 Brown delivered. The Nuggets are receiving timely contributions, proving how deep they are even with shortened rotations in the playoffs.
In the fourth, Brown was 4-for-5 from the field, made a 3-pointer and free throws and grabbed two rebounds. Those 11 points came in a four-minute stretch late in the quarter when Miami threatened to make it a closer game. The Heat made it 94-87 with 6:05 remaining.
Then Brown went to work:
∎ His layup with 5:07 left put Denver ahead 96-87.
∎ A free throw made it 97-87 at 3:59.
∎ A 3-point play gave the Nuggets a 100-89 lead at 2:36.
∎ A layup put the lead back into double-figures at 102-91 with 2:04 to play.
∎ His 3-pointer with 1:21 left made it 108-91, sending Heat fans to the exits.
“We knew they were going to trap Jamal and try to get the ball out of his hands, so the other four players were going to have to make plays, and then luckily it was just my time in the fourth quarter,” Brown said.
Brown, 26 and in his fifth NBA season, is earning himself a big contract in the offseason. The Nuggets signed him as a free agent last summer on a two-year, $13.2 million deal. But Brown has a player option for 2023-24, and he’s likely to exercise that option, become a free agent and sign a larger deal.
Malone knew the Nuggets were getting a good player, but he acknowledged, “Can I say that I envisioned him scoring 11 points (in the fourth quarter) on the road in Game 4 of the Finals? I can’t say that. But I did envision him being a ball-handler, a playmaker.
“I watched him for the years that I’ve coached against him. I watched him in the playoffs last year (with Brooklyn) against Boston, saw his impact of guarding guys like (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown, but his ability to facilitate, play with the ball, play off the ball, make shots.”
The No. 42 overall pick in the second round of the 2018 draft, Brown played college basketball for the Miami Hurricanes. He started a majority of games in his first two seasons with Detroit, then was traded to Brooklyn.
“It just shows the work I’ve put in each offseason,” he said. “Remember, when I first came in the league, I couldn’t shoot. I wasn’t confident shooting the ball at all. I was a mutt guy. They left me wide open and let me shoot. So that took a toll on my confidence, but it put a chip on my shoulder.
“So I just got in the gym and worked, and now it’s showing on the biggest stage.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bruce Brown is latest Nuggets reserve to star in NBA Finals