06/13/2023
The Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 on Monday night to win their first NBA championship after 47 years in the league.
A 56-year wait, including 47 years since entering the NBA, ended on Monday night. Jokic, once an obscure second-round pick, made sure of it. An ugly defensive battle turned beautiful for the champion Nuggets.
They knocked off the Miami Heat, 94-89, in Monday’s Game 5 to win the NBA Finals 4-1. Jokic poured in 28 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.
Michael Porter Jr. added 16 and snatched 13 rebounds. Jamal Murray had 14 points.
Porter joked he could’ve scored two points, or even zero points, and it wouldn’t have mattered. He’s now an NBA champion.
“Can’t nobody tell me nothing,” Porter beamed.
Their defense, in the clutch, was tenacious. The Nuggets allowed only 18 points in the fourth quarter, swarming and swallowing any comeback attempt Miami tried. Aaron Gordon snuffed a Kyle Lowry jumper, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope jumped the passing lanes. Bruce Brown hounded and pounded the glass, including a clutch offensive rebound and putback with 1:30 remaining.
Jokic, on both ends, would not be denied.
“We believe in each other,” Jokic said from the postgame podium.