A nail-biting finale.
Just when the Nuggets were looking to pull away, J. Butler put the Heat back in the game.
For a sports enthusiast a final minutes showdown is too amazing to be put in words. Despite backing the series leader.
The back & forth gameplay got me in lockdown mode, as if a slight movement could impact a game being played continents away.
Damn! What a final!
MIA 94 – 89 DEN
The Nuggets entered the NBA finals as the favourites to win the championship but despite that they faced the toughest matchup – Miami Heat.
This win didn’t come off easy.
Both teams put it all out on the floor.
Denver led the series 3-1 but the Heat staged a ferocious comeback trying to match Lebron’s record. They put the Nuggets on check.
The game went down to the wire.
However, in 4th quarter, the Nuggets started to pull away but J. Butler made back to back 3s to level the game and then hit another mid-ranger to take the lead. However, just like he gave them the lead, he gave it away too.
J. Butler made some poor judgement calls in the crucial minutes.
The game was still in their reach till the 24.7 second mark.
But they let it slip away, No! The Nuggets actually took it away!
N. Jokic and co. played hard in the final minutes. KCP came up with a steal, B. Brown sneaked his way to a rebound on his team’s missed shot and made it count.
Two crucial possessions that gave them the lead again. Then they both shot free throws to seal the win.
They didn’t allow the Heat to run any set plays. They put stops on all their attempts forcing them to take highly contested shots.
Michael Porter jr. also came up big in this game, but not in his area, instead in Rebounds. After struggling almost all series, he impacted the game by taking some high value rebounds. He had 13 Reb (his highest in a game).
For the Heat,
K. Lowry made some amazing shots from the 3Pt line;
M. Strus, despite struggling from the 3Pt contributed to the game by grabbing 7 Reb and hitting some much needed floaters and jumpshots that kept the team within reach;
B. Adebayo started off the game strong controlling the tempo and making aggresive plays. He scored 20 Pts | 12 REB | 9-20 FG
G. Vincent who had been shut down by Denver all series, showcased his element occasionally but the Denver didn’t give him much chances, and he failed to come out of it.
47 years, it took them 47 years but they finally won their 1st NBA title.
That too how, with an incredible season, holding the best regular season record in the league of 53-29, followed by extraordinary gameplay in the playoffs, not deterring from their target for a second.
The Mile high city chanting MVP on top of their voices in unison, the Serbian family celebrating their brother’s win, what a wholesome moment.
N. Jokic won the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy.
He is the first player to lead the playoffs in all three Total points, rebounds and assists.
Some players that performed exceptionally and deserve to be noted :
A.Gordon
Gabe Vincent
M. Strus
K. Love
B. Brown
C. Martin
Is this Nuggets squad capable enough to pull of another championship next year?
Is this the beginning of the 2-time MVP N. Jokic’s era ?
Will he be able to match the likes of Tim Duncan & Bill Russell ?
This team does have all the right ingredients.
We’ll just have to wait and watch.
See you next year.
#JOPO 