There’s beauty to behold in the chase for the first championship, especially because there’s no guarantee either player will get this close again. What’s wonderful about Nuggets-Heat is that either Nikola Jokic or Jimmy Butler will leave with a ring. Maybe it’s not the Finals matchup some folks wanted, but it could become the Finals matchup we deserve. Best of all those matchups will bring plenty of confidence because of the experiences. Denver had to cope with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the Western Conference semifinals, then LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the West crown.Īnd Miami? After surviving the Play-In (where Miami actually trailed the Chicago Bulls late in the fourth quarter), the Heat chopped down a pair of sequoias in the Bucks and Celtics, stunning the league each time. That’s because the Nuggets and Heat just went through the fire.

And based on what we’ve seen from these two teams, both belong on the June stage.

In the NBA Finals, it’s all about shot-making, defensive stands and the courage needed to become a champion. None of that really matters anymore, not this deep into the postseason. What a contrast, at least according to the standings, is this matchup of Nuggets vs. an AT&T Play-In Tournament winner for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. He is currently listed as day-to-day.Shaq, Charles, Kenny and EJ share their thoughts on the Nuggets-Heat matchup in the 2023 NBA Finals. Adebayo did return for game 4, but it is still unclear if Dragic will return, or when. Adebayo missed games 2 and 3 because of a foot injury, while Dragic has been out since game one with a neck injury. Both Center Bam Adebayo and Point Guard Goran Dragic have missed games due to injury. The Miami Heat have been dealing with multiple injuries to key players. Rookie Tyler Herro is also providing a valuable contribution to the Heat, stepping up to fill the hole left by the injuries plaguing the heat. The lone Miami win came behind just the 3rd 40 point triple-double in NBA Finals history from small forward Jimmy Butler in game 3. Lebron James and Anthony Davis lead the charge for the Lakers and are being supported by a strong supporting cast, made up of veteran players. Due to their 102-96 win last night, the Los Angeles Lakers lead the Miami Heat 3-1 in the best of 7 series. The finals are the Los Angeles Lakers out of the Western Conference, duelling the Miami Heat from the East.

After months in the NBA bubble and four rounds of the best teams battling for the chance to compete for the NBA Championship, the season is set to end within the next week.

Download who's in the nba finals