DENVER, Co. – After 47 long years in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets have won their first championship after a 4-1 series win over the Miami Heat. The Nuggets defeated the Heat in Game 5 by a score of 94-89.
The start of the game was not perfect for either team. The Heat struggled shooting and the Nuggets failed to control the ball. Miami’s struggles continued as they missed their next ten shots while the Nuggets went on a 12-0 run. Bam Adebayo led the Heat on a 14-2 run after making consecutive three-point shots to give Miami a 22-18 lead. The Heat went into the second quarter with a 24-22 advantage.
Duncan Robinson hit a three-point shot and a layup to give Miami a double digit lead (39-29) with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half. Miami held a 51-44 lead at halftime.
The Nuggets rallied back within three points to the Heat. Jamal Murray hit a three-point shot that capped of a 13-5 run for Denver to even the score at 60.
Denver took a 70-68 lead late in the third quarter until Kyle Lowry hit a three-point shot to give Miami a 71-70 lead heading to the final quarter of play.
With the Heat down 86-82, Jimmy Butler was fouled and successfully made all three free throws to make the score 86-85 at the 3:21 mark. Butler hit one more shot to put Miami out front 87-86. Nikola Jokic hit a layup to put Denver on top. Butler hit two more free throws to put the Heat back in the lead.
The Nuggets had control with a 92-89 lead with just over 20 seconds remaining. A three-point attempt by Butler missed the basket. Bruce Brown grabbed the rebound for Denver and made two free throws to seal the game.
JOKIC EARNS MVP… Jokic was awarded NBA Finals MVP. He set the single-season playoff record with 11 triple-doubles, topping Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record (7). Jokic also became the first player in NBA history to be the postseason leader in points, rebounds and assists. He is the fourth player to average a triple-double in the playoffs and the first to do so while winning a championship.
UP NEXT… The 2023-2024 NBA season will get underway on Oct. 24. Schedules and times have not been released.
| Player | Minutes Played | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 42 | 28 | 16 | 4 |
| Jamal Murray | 41 | 14 | 8 | 8 |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 34 | 11 | 4 | 2 |
| Michael Porter | 33 | 16 | 13 | 3 |
| Bruce Brown | 28 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Aaron Gordon | 28 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| Player | Minutes Played | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | 44 | 20 | 12 | 1 |
| Jimmy Butler | 41 | 21 | 3 | 5 |
| Kyle Lowry | 34 | 12 | 9 | 4 |
| Caleb Martin | 32 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Max Strus | 31 | 12 | 8 | 1 |
| Duncan Robinson | 16 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Wallace Writing 
Leave a comment