The NBA Finals are Set

 

            The NBA Finals are finally here as for the first time since 1999 it will feature a #1 seed taking on a #8 seed. This year, the #1 seed is the Denver Nuggets taking on the #8 seed the Miami Heat.

            Miami made it here after narrowly escaping the first ever 3-0 comeback in NBA history and taking game 7 in Boston over the Celtics. The Heat are able to catch their breaths but not for long as they only have two days to rest in between the conference finals and the finals. 

            Unlike the Heat, the Nuggets have had ample rest after easily taking care of the Los Angeles Lakers in a four game sweep. The question is though does the rest negatively or positively affect the Nuggets for this series? 

            The Heat with their lower seed ranking have been the underdog every single series so far this postseason, while the Nuggets being the highest seed have been favored every single series during this postseason. With that being said, things will not change during the finals as the Nuggets are once again favored and the Heat are the underdogs coming in.

            The headlines are jam-packed coming into this final round of the playoffs featuring former MVP, Nikola Jokic, and superstar Jimmy Butler. Both are anticipating their first ever NBA championship after many years spent in the league.

            Jokic was crowned the MVP in back to back seasons and Jimmy Butler has taken his game to a different level this postseason, but who deserves it more? Obviously, there are no right answers, but winning back to back MVPs with nothing to show for certainly makes a convincing argument that this is Jokic's trophy to obtain.

            As I said before, the Heat have always been the underdogs this postseason, but they have always overcame this title. The Heat have been doubted every single game this postseason even after they blew a 3-0 lead and had their backs against the wall, one game away from the finals. 

            The dynamic duos of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo up against Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be on full display during this series. These teams are very similarly built in some ways with the depth they both possess, the great shooting, and great coaching as well. 

            Miami make its return to the finals for the first time since 2020 as they certainly have ample postseason experience. But so do the Denver Nuggets even though they have never won a title or made it to the finals as a matter of fact. I believe that will end up changing this year although you can never count out this Heat team. 

            I am definitely anticipating a great series between these two teams and whether Jimmy Butler gets his first ring or Nikola Jokic does it will certainly be a great story in the end. The Nuggets have looked unstoppable this postseason and I believe they will carry that over into the finals and defeat the Heat for their first ever NBA championship title.