Basketball is one of the sports that isn’t difficult to love. Though this contact sport involves teamwork, a team’s success lies in the contribution of each member. Since many get so hooked on this sport, watching their favorite team play on the court already becomes a lifestyle.
This game involves a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. In fact, there have been players whose basketball careers have inspired many people. Take the case of Jamal Murray who suffered a torn ACL when they played against the Warriors back in 2021.
How things turned around before the start of the NBA finals left NBA fans in complete shock—for it is without the biggest names in the NBA. There’s no Lebron James and no Stephen Curry. This year, the finals will be a battle between top-seed Denver Nuggets versus the eighth-seed Miami Heat. The latter managed to topple the Milwaukee Bucks who had the best NBA record this year.
Journey to the Finals
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have consistently dominated the West. This team is number one in offence, with the second-best record of this season. They beat the eight-seed Minnesota Timberwolves, the Phoenix Suns, and the LA Lakers. Although it’s a young team, they made it quite clear that they are a more deserving team to advance in the NBA finals. Hence, sweeping the highly-favoured Lakers 4-0.
Miami Heat
In contrast, the journey of the Miami Heat wasn’t easy. As a matter of fact, nobody expected them to be in the playoff at all. They first made headlines after defeating the Bucks 4-1 in the first round. It left basketball denizens stunned. The Heat, however, continued to prove themselves that they are a team to reckon with. They beat the New York Knicks and came out triumphant in a best-of-seven game with the Boston Celtics. Thus, earning a ticket to the NBA finals.
Important Considerations
The 2023 NBA Finals is underway and many are ready to take their pick. However, for sports analysts, there are factors that need to be considered.
Star players
The Denver Nuggets have a leader in two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. This big man enabled the Nuggets to score both in the paint and beyond the arc. Another reason why they are so effective as a team is his chemistry with point guard, Jamal Murray.
On the contrary, the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler continues to showcase his talents by his impossible shots. Under his leadership, he was able to lead the Heat to the NBA finals twice. With Butler’s skills and Bam Adebayo’s towering defensive tactics, the team was able to crush the strongest forces in the East.
Difference-makers
Although Jokic and Murray can shoot threes perfectly, they have Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who are sharpshooters. They also have Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown, Jr. who are great defenders.
What makes the Miami Heat impressive is that they can win even if their star players have a bad shooting night. Undrafted players such as Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, and Duncan Robinson each gave a stellar performance at the Eastern Conference finals. This only shows how much depth they have as a team.
Experience
This NBA Finals is special for the Denver Nuggets. This is their franchise’s first appearance in the NBA finals. If they win the title this year, it’ll be a sweet victory as they have never won a championship since their league debuted in 1976.
After a series of hard-fought games, the Miami Heat is back to the NBA finals. The Heat have won three NBA championships already and are looking to clinch their fourth NBA title. This is the franchise’s seventh appearance in the NBA finals.
Coaching
The Miami Heat has a great coach in Erik Spoelstra. He has been the Heat’s head coach since 2008. The franchise has had 2 NBA championships under his tenure.
Meanwhile, Michael Malone may have learned some of his coaching skills from his father who is a former NBA coach. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach. In 2013, he became the head coach for Sacramento Kings and for the Denver Nuggets in 2015.
Rest Period
Since the Eastern Conference finals had to go for a Game 7, it gave the Nuggets nine days to rest and recuperate. This, however, only gave the Heat two full days to prepare for the finals
Final Thoughts
Before placing your bets, you should consider getting some betting tips only from trusted experts. The Nuggets took Game 1 on Friday. This was the first time the Heat weren’t able to take Game 1 against their opponent on the road. We expect the Heat to fight back and be better. But there are some questions that remain unanswered. Will Spoelstra make the right adjustments? Can the Miami Heat slow down the seemingly unstoppable force of Nikola Jokic? We’re about to find out.
