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The Denver Nuggets are on the verge of winning its first-ever NBA title! With 2-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his able partner, Jamal Murray, leading the way, the Nuggets are just 1 win away from the coveted crown. The Heat will have to find a solution to the Nuggets’ seemingly unstoppable 2-man game if they are to survive to fight another day.
In the battle between the well-rested against the well-tested, the fresh-as-daisies Denver Nuggets mowed down the fresh-from-mayhem Miami Heat to take Game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals 104-93. The Nuggets were coming from a 9-day lull in the cage wars as they upended the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 for the Western Conference title way back in May 22. The Heat, on the other hand, had to go through a wringer, having barely survived their physically, mentally and psychologically-draining duel with the equally tough-as-nails Boston Celtics 4-3 to win the Eastern Conference title.
This will be a battle of the stars, the Heat’s Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Whichever duo will show up, and impose their will on the other, will win the eastern conference crown.
It’s all over but the shouting. The way the Lakers are playing, with their supreme confidence, and with no trace of pressure seen in their faces. . And with the fateful injuries to key Heat players. The Lakers are simply bigger, better and badder at this point. That said, I expect the Lakers to close the series in 4 games.
The Heat are a balanced team of veterans and rookies with plenty of upside. With Iggy Igoudala, Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler providing the wisdom, the maturation phase for the likes of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson look assured. Despite the lack of a top-level superstar now, the team has a strong winning culture that is anchored on aggressiveness and blue-collar determination. Expect this team to be very competitive, not just in this year’s Finals, but for the years ahead.
Color My World 