Nuggets Win First NBA Title In Franchise History, Top Heat In NBA Finals
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat, 94-89, at Ball Arena in Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals. The Nuggets won the series by 4-1 and captured their first NBA championship in franchise history.
The Nuggets had to fight hard to win here, as the Heat never let go and kept within distance even in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Miami had a strong start and looked good in the early stages, however, racing to a 24-22 lead in the first 12 minutes of action. The Heat pushed their advantage further in the second quarter, extending their lead to seven points after a 27-22 result in the second quarter. However, the Nuggets responded with a scoring run in the third quarter and made it a one-point game with just 12 minutes left. Denver looked better in the fourth quarter until Jimmy Butler took over, and the Heat even led by one point with less than two minutes on the clock, but the Nuggets flipped the script down the stretch. Denver’s efficiency in the final minutes and Miami’s questionable decisions on offense allowed the Nuggets to secure the victory. As a result, Denver won the first title in franchise history.
Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with 28 points, 16 rebounds and four assists. Michael Porter Jr. posted 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jamal Murray came close to posting a triple-double after notching 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Bruce Brown added 10 points and six rebounds coming off the bench.
Jimmy Butler was the leading scorer for the Heat and finished with 21 points, including 13 in the final quarter, while also adding five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Max Strus delivered 12 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Lowry was impressive and finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals while coming off the bench.
The Nuggets had to fight hard to win here, as the Heat never let go and kept within distance even in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Miami had a strong start and looked good in the early stages, however, racing to a 24-22 lead in the first 12 minutes of action. The Heat pushed their advantage further in the second quarter, extending their lead to seven points after a 27-22 result in the second quarter. However, the Nuggets responded with a scoring run in the third quarter and made it a one-point game with just 12 minutes left. Denver looked better in the fourth quarter until Jimmy Butler took over, and the Heat even led by one point with less than two minutes on the clock, but the Nuggets flipped the script down the stretch. Denver’s efficiency in the final minutes and Miami’s questionable decisions on offense allowed the Nuggets to secure the victory. As a result, Denver won the first title in franchise history.
Nikola Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with 28 points, 16 rebounds and four assists. Michael Porter Jr. posted 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jamal Murray came close to posting a triple-double after notching 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. Bruce Brown added 10 points and six rebounds coming off the bench.
Jimmy Butler was the leading scorer for the Heat and finished with 21 points, including 13 in the final quarter, while also adding five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Bam Adebayo had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Max Strus delivered 12 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Lowry was impressive and finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals while coming off the bench.