Nikola Jokic guided the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA title in club history on Monday night, as the Nuggets overcame a late comeback from Jimmy Butler to slip past the Miami Heat and win 94-89 in the fifth game.
“The fans in this city are incredible,” exclaimed team owner Stan Kroenke. It means a lot to us to do this. »
Jokic had 28 points and 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, who missed 20 of their first 22 3-point attempts and seven of their first 13 free throws but were able to close the series at home.
Jokic was presented with the Bill Russell Trophy for Finals Series MVP.
Butler scored eight straight points to help the Heat take an 87-86 lead with 2:45 to go seven points down. He took in two more free throws to help the Heat regain a one-point lead.
Trailing by three with 15 seconds left, Butler attempted a shot from behind the arc, but missed. Brown had two free throws to put the game away and clinch the title for the Nuggets.
Butler finished with 21 points.
“It was ugly and we couldn’t score, but in the end we understood,” said Jokic. I’m just happy that we won the game. »
“That’s why basketball is a fun sport,” added Jokic. It’s a constantly living game. You can’t say, “it’s going to happen like that”. There are so many factors. »
The Heat were, as coach Erik Spoelstra had promised, a brave and tenacious group. But their shooting wasn’t optimal either. Bam Adebayo had 20 for the Heat, but the Heat shot for 34 percent and 25 percent from three points. Before Butler ignited, he was 2 of 13, for eight points.