Author: Monojit Mandal
Heat 89:94 Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets won their first NBA championship by beating the Miami Heat 94-89 in a dramatic Game 5. The Nuggets, who had controlled the series, seized the chance to win the title in front of their delighted fans at Denver’s Ball Arena.
Despite a strong start from the Heat, who led by two points at the end of the first quarter and extended their lead to seven points at half-time, the Nuggets produced an incredible comeback in the second half. A fantastic third quarter helped them close the gap, setting the stage for a thrilling fourth period with the score 71-70 in Denver’s favor.
The Nuggets took control of the game and looked to be on their way to victory. The resilient Miami Heat, on the other hand, fought hard to stay in the game and momentarily regained the lead in the final minutes. Even so, the Nuggets maintained their self-control, while Miami struggled to convert important shots. A last-second three-point attempt by the Heat fell short, securing victory for the Nuggets as time ran out, sparking an explosion of joy throughout the arena.
Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ Serbian star, led the attack with an excellent performance, scoring 28 points. Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, on the other hand, almost turned the tide with 21 points, most of which came in the fourth quarter.
Jokic, who almost missed out on his third consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) title this season, was named NBA Finals MVP after leading the Denver Nuggets to a decisive victory in Game 5. His performance was exceptional, as he finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, playing a key role in the franchise’s historic NBA triumph.
During a post-game interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters, Jokic expressed his joy at having become an NBA champion, saying: “It’s good. That’s great. “The work is finished and now we can go home.“
Jokic’s impressive championship win and Finals MVP award have raised his profile in the basketball world. Jokic’s statistical achievements in the playoffs, especially as a power forward, put him in the category of a legend, according to Isiah Thomas, a former Detroit Pistons player. “I don’t know if there’s ever been a statistical run in the NBA Finals as a pivot like he had in those categories” said Thomas.
After a heated discussion about the race for the regular season MVP award between Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thomas emphasized that it is difficult to discuss Jokic’s position as the best player in the world at the moment. “When you’re a champion, that’s all that matters” he added. What a great moment for you, if you can say: ‘I’m the best in the world’, even if it’s just for a day or a year. Then it will be recorded. And everyone agrees with that. There’s no better feeling.
Jokic’s success as Finals MVP is significant, as he is the player with the fewest signings (41st in the second round in 2014) to win the coveted title. He also joins an exclusive club of international players who have won the prestigious Finals MVP title, including Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
Throughout the tournament, Jokic stood out, including an impressive performance of 53 points and 11 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns in the second round.