Serbian center Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first North American Basketball League (NBA) title on Monday, following a close home win against the Miami Heat, 94-89, in game five of the Finals.
Jokic, named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Finals, had 28 points, with 12 of 16 in shots from the field, 16 rebounds and four assists, including 10 points in the final period, for which the new champions entered and lost by one (70-71).
“I’m happy. The work is done, we can go home now,” said in his own style the “giant” Jokic, who became the player with the worst draft (41st, in 2014) to be crowned MVP of the Finals and also the first to finish the playoffs as the points, rebounds and assists leader.
Jamal Murray was not in his day, but he still contributed with a significant 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Michael Porter Jr. he had his best game in the ‘final’, with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Also noteworthy are the 11 points Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored and the performance of substitutes Bruce Brown (10 points and six rebounds) and Christian Braun (seven points and three rebounds), in a game in which Aaron Gordon ‘didn’t count’ (four points). ).
“All the hard work, sacrifice, effort and dedication have paid off, but we want more,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who promised the Nuggets will come in 2023/24 to revalidate the sceptre.
In the Heat, Jimmy Butler was the leading scorer, with 21 points, adding five assists and three rebounds, but did not appear in the game until the end of the game to score his team’s final 13 points. There was no time left to avoid the setback.
Bam Adebayo, with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and substitute Kyle Lowry, with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists, did their best to keep the dream alive, while Tyler Herro returned to the bench but was not used.
The Heat scored the first five points of the game, but the hosts responded with a partial 12-0 (12-5) and even increased the advantage to eight points (16-8).
However, the foreign team led by the irrepressible Bam Adebayo (14 points and six rebounds in the first 10 minutes) did not give up and turned the score around (18-22) and thus reached the end of the first period. two to the highest (22-24).
After the roller coaster of the first period, the second was dominated by the outsiders, who were always ahead and led by 10 (29-39, 7.17 minutes before halftime), eventually closing with another seven (44-51 ).
At the start of the second half, and despite Butler’s ‘absence’, the Heat continued to lead (47-55, 51-57 and 53-60), but with Jokic more active the locals fought back and after a draw on 60 , 64 and 66, they clinched their first lead since going 18-16 in the opening period thanks to a Porter Jr. triple. (69-66).
However, the Miami team was not impressed and, thanks to a ‘triple’ from Lowry, managed to make another somersault on the scoreboard and close the third partial in front (70-71).
At the start of the fourth quarter, it was Jokic’s turn, who, with the help of Murray, gave the Nuggets a seven-point lead (83-76), with only 4:44 minutes left to play.
The game seemed ’tilted’, but then Butler, who was still not counting any points in the second half, scored 13 consecutive points – including two ‘triples’ and five free throws – for the Heat, who, with 1.58 minutes left, led by one (88-89).
But in the final part, the hosts triumphed, with Bruce Brown scoring on an offensive rebound and finishing the game with two free throws, with 14.3 seconds to play, after another two from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, while the Heat failed to longer hit the ball. basket.
game sheet
Game at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Denver Nuggets-Miami Heat, 94-89 (4-1).
At halftime: 44-51.
Under referees Marc Davis, David Guthrie and Josh Tiven, the teams were lined up:
– Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray (14), Kantavious Caldwell-Pope (11), Michael Porter Jr. (16), Aaron Gordon (4) and Nikola Jokic (28). Jeff Green (4), Bruce Brown (10), Christian Braun (7) and DeAndre Jordan also played.
Coach: Michael Malone.
– Miami Heat: Gabe Vincent (6), Jimmy Butler (21), Max Strus (12), Kevin Love (3) and Bam Adebayo (20). Also playing were Caleb Martin (10), Kyle Lowry (12), Duncan Robinson (5), Haywood Highsmith and Cody Zeller.
Trainer: Erik Spoelstra.
Scorer March: 22-24 (first quarter), 44-51 (halftime), 70-71 (third quarter) and 94-89 (final result).
Attendance: 19,537 spectators.
Source: DN
