The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat 109-94 on the road in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday evening to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
Before the NBA Finals started last week, Broncos coach Sean Payton said he texted Nuggets coach Michael Malone to congratulate him and wish him well in the series.
As a new Denver resident, Payton’s been watching the Nuggets and it’s safe to say he’s been impressed.
“When I’ve watched them — we all get caught up and you get excited — but the star players are unselfish, and I feel like it’s a team that enjoys each other,” Payton said on June 1. “I’m going to guess that they probably do things together off the court and I don’t know that that’s the case with every team.
“Literally last week, I was just having a conversation with Mike Krzyzewski about something else, and then I asked the question, ‘How do you like to match up with the Heat?’ He mentioned culture with both teams. I think you see that with our team, and I think you see it from the Heat as well. It’s why they are the last two teams remaining. From a beginner’s perspective, when I watch them, you feel that and that’s impressive.”
Payton, quarterback Russell Wilson, safety Justin Simmons and retired QB Peyton Manning were among the Broncos in attendance for Denver’s two home games earlier in the series.