Denver vs Miami, Nuggets vs Heat, Nikola Jokic vs Jimmy Butler, the altitude of the Mile High City vs the sun of South Beach… the 2023 NBA Finals offer us a poster as interesting as it is intriguing, regardless of the lack of hype that can surround the latter. True basketball fans can only smile at this opposition which should give us a great series. Come on, it’s time for the home preview.
For the predictions of the editorial staff, it’s here!
Regular season matches:
- Heat – Nuggets : 119-124
- Nuggets – Heat : 112-108
The 2023 NBA Finals haven’t even started yet that both teams have already written a page of history, or at least their history. The Denver Nuggets had never arrived at this stage (except when they were still in ABA, in 1976), they who will therefore discover the always very special atmosphere that accompanies the final series of the season. As for the Heat franchise, they are used to being on the biggest stage – second final in four years and seventh since 2006 – but they arrive with the status of seed # 8, which had only happened only time so far in the NBA (Knicks 1999). First title for Denver or Miami first team ranked eighth to win the ring? Whoever wins, this 2023 title will be historic.
In the favorite suit, we have the Nuggets, who have the advantage of the field and the advantage of being rested, they who swept the Lakers in the Conference Finals while the Heat had to fight for seven games against Boston. But conversely, Miami is on pace while Denver could be a little rusty at the start of the series, which gives particular importance to Thursday night’s Game 1 in Colorado. On top of that, if there’s a team physically prepared enough to take on another big battle, it’s the Heat.
“It will be the biggest challenge of our lives.”
Favorite or not, and regardless of the predictions of the Hexperts, Denver coach Michael Malone knows that this confrontation against Miami represents a great challenge for his team, which has dominated Minnesota, Phoenix and Los Angeles so far without too many problems. Because the Heat has many of the qualities that also characterize Denver:
- a big collective force;
- a true identity;
- continuity;
- a leader at the top of his game (Nikola Jokic on one side, Jimmy Butler on the other);
- lieutenants and role players capable of making a difference.
In short, it promises a nice game of chess all that. Especially when you have two of the best coaches on the benches, with Malone on one side but especially Erik Spoelstra on the other. The latter achieved a new masterclass on these Playoffs to allow Miami to eliminate Milwaukee, New York and then Boston, all without ever having home advantage but with no less than seven undrafted players.
Make your predictions for the Heat-Nuggets NBA Finals.
Which team and how many games? pic.twitter.com/UAFBAJ4saR
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 30, 2023
What also makes this NBA Final fun to follow is that it will oppose two teams that have come a long way. Yes, they were both in the last four of the Playoffs three years ago in the bubble, but in the meantime the path has been strewn with pitfalls on both sides.
At the Nuggets, Jamal Murray suffered a ruptured knee ligament and needed time to get back to the top, while Michael Porter Jr. had back problems. This plagued Denver for two seasons, with Nikola Jokic’s side winning just one Playoff series in 2021 and 2022 despite the Serbian double MVP’s greatness. Meanwhile, the Heat have also had their ups and downs, especially this season with a regular just 44 wins synonymous with tournament play-in. Miami started the Playoffs in the worst possible position, seed #8, and saw Tyler Herro injured in the first round, as did Victor Oladipo (not to mention Jimmy Butler’s sprained ankle against the Knicks). If Herro can potentially come back in the middle of the series, which is an important element to watch for in these Finals, Vic is him out for a long time.
As you have understood, the Nuggets and the Heat have similar principles and qualities, real common points, but also the possibility of making history each in their own way. Enough to cause sparks tomorrow evening, for Game 1 of the series in Denver. See you at 2:30!
Jimmy Butler Vs Nikola Jokic. We will be there no matter what https://t.co/Je88VUkc8H pic.twitter.com/3IAgsM6Kat
— ጭኮ lover (@TarikuMs) May 22, 2023
The program of the series
- Game 1: in Denver, on the night of Thursday June 1 to Friday June 2, 2:30 a.m.
- Game 2: in Denver, on the night of Sunday June 4 to Monday June 5, 2 a.m.
- Game 3: in Miami, on the night of Wednesday June 7 to Thursday June 8, 2:30 a.m.
- Game 4: in Miami, on the night of Friday June 9 to Saturday June 10, 2:30 a.m.
- Game 5: in Denver, on the night of Monday June 12 to Tuesday June 13, 2:30 a.m.*
- Game 6: in Miami, on the night of Thursday June 15 to Friday June 16, 2:30 a.m.*
- Game 7: in Denver, on the night of Sunday June 18 to Monday June 19, 2 a.m.*
*If necessary
2023-06-01 01:20:02
#Denver #Nuggets #Miami #Heat #preview #NBA #Finals
