The NBA Finals matchup is set: Nuggets vs Heat, beginning June 1st in Denver. The Nuggets are a surprise to me - the Lakers were my pick out of the West.
I can't say I kept faith with the Heat all through the season, but they were my pick to come out of the East before the season started, and now they've actually done it! In the process, Miami has snuffed out the hopes of Boston's historic 0-3 comeback, and the title aspirations of the Bucks. They also disposed of a tough Knicks team along the way.
But in their path stands their final and probably biggest challenge. Denver has been playing absolutely dominant basketball, coming off their #1 seeding and working all the way to a sweep of LeBron and the Lakers. That is no small feat. They seem to have figured out their winning formula and now only four wins separate the two-time MVP from his long-coveted trophy. They also have the advantage of a much longer rest period, whereas the Heat will only have two days to recover.
Here is my Finals prediction:
Game 1: A tired Heat team against a rusty Nuggets team leads to a sloppy game without top-tier play from either group. The Nuggets pull out the win with their superior talent. G1 - Nuggets
Game 2: Spoelstra has worked through the game tape and comes through with an excellent game plan to help keep the Heat in the mix. He outcoaches the Nuggets for a close win on the road. G2 - Heat
Game 3: The Nuggets look like the champs. Jokic has a huge game, and they spoil the parties in Miami as the Heat return to floriday. G3 - Nuggets
Game 4: Jimmy Butler comes alive. He doesn't let the Heat lose, hitting clutch shot after clutch shot to even out the series again. G4 - Heat
Game 5: In a hard-fought battle, the Nuggets again overwhelm the Heat with world-class play from Jokic and a storing burst from Jamal Murray. It doesn't end up being particularly close. G5 - Nuggets
Game 6: Facing elimination, the Heat take the Nuggets go to overtime in Miami. Butler and Adebayo drain free throws, grab rebounds, and hit the big shots to force a Game 7. G6 - Heat
Game 7: In an all-time classic, Jokic's triple-double is not enough to overcome the fearless and unrelenting Heat. With big contributions from several role players, the Heat finish off an extremely tight game with a Jimmy Butler turnaround jumper for the win. G7 - Heat
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