Miami Heat 89 vs 94 Denver Nuggets summary: stats and highlights | NBA Finals Game 5
The Denver Nuggets are champions of the NBA for the first time in franchise history after finishing off the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Nikola Jokic was named Finals MVP after posting 28 points and 16 rebounds in the 94-86 win.
Nuggets find their gold
For most of, if not all of the season Denver looked like the best team in the league, led by the best player in the world. Nikola and the Nuggets proved that on Monday night in the Mile High City.
After cursing through the best of the West, it was the Miami Heat who stood in their way, but nothing was stopping this team from reaching their date with destiny. After 47 years, the Nuggets hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and they got to do it in front of their home crowd at Ball Arena.
They came out a little tense as their coach Michael Malone put it, but after going down 5-0 in the first two minutes the Nuggets would score 12 straight as the defense turned up and held the Heat to 0 field goals in the next 10 shots. For all the talk of Jokic and super star point guard Jamal Murray, it was the defense that showed up time and time again in this series. In four of the five Finals games, Denver’s defense held the Heat to under 100 points.
MPJ the Game 5 MVP
Bam Adebayo came out of the gate hot as Jimmy Butler struggled to get involved early one again. Denver’s early lead disappeared after Miami’s big man led a 31-13 run to take a double digit lead in the second quarter. Butler would warm up in the second quarter, scoring eight points, but went awol again until it was too late.
Michale Porter Jr. had a night to remember, leading the Nuggets in the first half and setting the tone for his team on both ends of the court all night long. It was Aaron Gordon who took over in Game 4, but he got himself into foul trouble in the second quarter and Porter Jr. played the role of super sidekick to Murray and Jokic in Game 5.
Denver turned the ball over 10 times and shot just 1/15 from downtown, but trailed by just seven at half after Jokic and Murray combined for just 13 first half points. It didn’t take long for the Nuggets to tie the game out of the halftime break, but they wouldn’t take the lead until late in the third quarter when Porter Jr. hit a pull up three to set up a fourth quarter that went down to the wire.
Too little, too late for Butler
The Heat went into the final 12 minutes up by a point, but they would go through a five minute scoreless stretch that wasn’t broken until there were four and a half minutes to go in the game. Down by seven, Jimmy Butler finally stepped up scoring 13 straight points and led a 9-0 run that gave the Heat the 87-86 lead with 2:27 to go in the game.
Bruce Brown who played a massive role of the bench all postseason came up with a late offensive board to give the Nuggets the lead back with 91 seconds to go in the game. Butler and Miami had a chance to take the lead, but the Miami star picked up his dribble in the middle of the paint and threw a pass right into the hands of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who went on to hit two free throws and put the Nuggets up three with 24 seconds to go.
Butler would get another look at tying the game, but he rushed a three pointer which was rebounded by Brown who iced the game from the free throw line and sealed the first NBA title for the Nuggets in franchise history.
Malone eyeing a dynasty
Nikola Jokic was named Finals MVP after becoming the first player to lead the playoffs in points, rebound and assists as the two time MVP added another field of hardware to his trophy cabinet. Perhaps the most emotional part of the night was Jamal Murray finally getting his hands on the Larry O’Brien Trophy after having to sit the last two postseasons out following a torn ACL. The crowd at Ball Arena showed him the much deserved love as tears filled his eyes.
Michale Malone took the mic during the trophy presentation and he wasted no time telling fans, that neither him nor his team are satisfied with one championship. They are a team built to stay on top of the league for a long time, but for now the focus will turn to the celebration in the Mile High City.
When I say playoff run unlike we have ever seen, it's not a figure of speech. Jokic broke record after record, but maybe none are more impressive than this. Mr. Do it All did everything on his way to lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy
It's been over two decades since a center won the Finals MVP, and we haven't seen a center as dominant as Jokic since the last center to win the Finals MVP.
In the most obvious bit of news of the night, Nikola Jokic is your 2023 NBA Finals MVP after a playoff run unlike any we have ever seen before.
It has been a long time coming for Jamal Murray. After missing the last two postseasons he came back from injury and led his team to the promise land, and let his emotions out as the crowd showered him with love during the trophy presentation.
From Sombor to Mile High City Jokic has paved his way into the history books of the NBA in this historic title run.
Jokic responded to the question "How does it feel being a champion?" exactly as you would expect him to.
Nikola wasn't the only Jokic celebrating with Michale Malone after Nuggets wrapped up Game 5.
The only Denver player that came into Game 5 with a ring comes up with the biggest steal of his life to seal the win for the Nuggets.
After just 8 points in the first three quarters, Butler went wild hitting 13 straight for the Heat to put Miami up late in the fourth.
The Denver Nuggets defense kept the Heat to under 100 points in four of the five games and did so with defense like this.
Murray was just 2/7 from downtown, but this three ball came at a pivotal time in the game as the Nuggets went on a 5-0 run to go up six early in the fourth quarter.
When you're feeling it, you gotta let it fly and Porter Jr. did just that to put the Nuggets ahead heading into the fourth quarter.
It may not have been the best statistical game of MPJs career but he came up with a night to remember in game that gave Denver their first title ever.
Murray came to life in the second half and hit a couple big shots to put Denver in the lead in the third quarter.
The Nuggets went to the half down seven, but Nikola Jokic would led the charge to take the lead early in the third.
This was Murray's second field goal of the first half, but he would get going in the last two quarters.
The Nuggets allowed a 31-13 run that allowed the Heat to pull away by as many as 10, but Bruce Brown the the Nuggets kept their cool and hung tight with the Heat despite 10 first half turnover and going just 1/14 from downtown to start the game.
Christian Braun becomes just the fifth player in NBA history to win the NCAA title and the NBA Championship in back-to-back years after winning the Final Four with Kansas last year.
Michael Porter Jr. came up with a huge close out game and led the Nuggets with points and passion in Game 5.
Jokic was in no rush to get his first field goal up. He says he lets the game come to him and takes what the defense gives him. He took what ever wanted in Game 5, this series, this playoffs and this entire season.
Jeff Green got his first title at the ripe age of 37. He had just 4 points but he was a huge factor on and off the court this season.
Murray had just 4 points in the first half, but the Nuggets hung with the Heat thanks to Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.
It took the Nuggets a little while to get going, but they caught fire early on scoring 12 straight points, but this game would back and forth until the end.
THE DENVER NUGGETS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE NBA FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!
Let's take you through the Nuggets Game 5 win.
The Jokic brothers thrown Michale Malone up in the air before the Nuggets coach got a chance to lift the Larry O'Brien trophy.
The Heat took it down to the wire, but the Nuggets were too strong all series and it showed at the end of the fourth quarter of Game 5.
When asked how does if feel to be an NBA Champion? Jokic responds: "It's good. It's good. Now we can go home now."
That's your Finals MVP for you.
Ball Arena is absolutely rocking as the confetti falls like snow in Denver!!!
NIKOLA JOKIC AND JAMAL MURRAY LEAD THE MILE HIGH CITY TO THEIR FIRST NBA TITLE EVER!!!
Lowry misses the quick trigger three and THE DENVER NUGGETS ARE NBA CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY!!
Brown hits both FTs and he puts the Nuggets up by two possessions!!!
Timeout Miami with 14.1 to go in the 4th quarter. Denver can almost touch their first title in franchise history!
Butler jacked up a wild three off the glass and missed badly! Brown gets the rebound and is going to the line with 14.3 seconds to go.
KCP goes to the line and hits both FTs with 24.7 to go in the fourth quarter!
Timeout Miami!
Butler picked up his dribble and inexplicably threw it into the hands of KCP!
1:11 to go in Game 5.
Murray missed the baseline jumper but Brown snuck in for the offensive board and put back!
Butler to the line after Lowry tapped it out of the hands of Gordon and he hits both FTs. Miami leads by one with 1:58 to go.
Jokic off the dribble and to the cup for the lay up in traffic! Just over 2:00 to go.
Buter backing down KCP and the contested shot in the lane drops! He's got the last 11 for the Heat!
Butler goes to the line and hits all three FTs and we have a 1 point game with 3:21 to go. Butler has the last 9 Miami points.
The call stands!!! The ESPN commentator crew was expecting the call to be overturned and I have to agree with them. His foot hit the midsection of Aaron Gordon, but the foul remains on Gordon and Butler goes to the line.
Butler was fouled on a three ball by Gordon, but the Nuggets will challenge with 3:21 to go in the game!
Butler drills another three ball!!! That's back to back jacks from Butler, who is finally waking up in this elimination game!
KCP answers back with a three ball!!!
Butler strings a three ball in the corner and those are their first points in five minutes!
Denver go to their MVP, hitting Jokic in the middle of the zone for the short range effort.
Both teams have had looks but neither team has scored in the last two minutes.
Murray drills the elbow jumper after a massive block from Gordon on the other end!
Timeout Heat with 6:42 to go in the 4th quarter.
Braun heads to the line after the Martin foul and he misses both FTs! The Nuggets are 9/19 from the line.
Jokic pulls up on the fade away and hits the tough mid range jumper over Adebayo
Lowry sticks a triple try in the corner off the skip pass from Robinson!
Jokic drew a tripe team but got the bucket to go from under the iron.
Martin catches it on the move and finishes with the finger roll out of the timeout.
Murray was left open after the extra pass from Gordon and he strokes the three ball!
5-0 run for the Nuggets to start the quarter and the Heat need a timeout right after the quarter change!
Entry pass from Murray to Jokic who put it up quick and hit the short shot.
The third quarter comes to an end and it's the Heat who lead by a point with 12 minute to go.
Jokic had 9 in the quarter and helped the Nuggets take the lead momentarily. Porter Jr. is causing some problems for the Heat defense as well. He had 7 in the quarter.
Lowry scoops up the long offensive rebound and jacks the three ball!!!
Jokic to the line after the foul on Vincent and he hits one of two.
Adebayo gets the roll on the short jumper in the lane.
Porter Jr. pulls up on a deep triple try and sinks it! Dangerous time here for the Heat who can't lose momentum going into the fourth quarter.
Braun to the line after the foul on Lowry and he hits both FTs.
Vincent catches it on the run and floats it over Jokic.
Vincent loses it this time and Porter Jr. goes between the legs on the break and lays it up and in and we are tied up with 2:25 to go in the third quarter!
Lowry slipped and lost it, KCP picked it up missed the transition lay up and Brown gets the tip in to go.
Martin on the drive in transition and he finishes with the lay up and the Nuggets take a timeout with under 4:00 to go in the third quarter.
Strus off the dribble and he gets the lay up to go after the timeout.
Murray ties this game up with a three ball from the corner off the kick out from Porter Jr. and the Heat need a timeout with 6:44 to go in the third quarter!
Jokic going to the line and he hits one of two after the foul on Adebayo.
Gordon to the line and he hits one of two FTs but the Nugs get the rebound and Jokic tips it in off the Murray missed lay up.
Vincent answers back with a mid range pull up from the elbow.
Jokic backs down Adebayo and gets another good look from down low.
Love was left open from DT and he drills the three ball!
Murray scoops it up and in with the finger roll of the screen from Jokic.
Porter Jr. off the dribble and gets the floater to go. He's got 11 on the night.
Vincent pulls up from the top of the key and hits the deep two off the screen.
Strus off the dribble and he gets the floater to drop. He's got 10 on the night.
Jokic backs down Vincent and gets the bucket and one after the foul! FT is good to start the half with a three point play.
WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION FROM DENVER!
Adebayo has 18 points and 9 rebounds through the opening two quarter and will need to keep making Jokic work on the defensive end as the game goes on.
The Heat need Jimmy Butler now more than ever. He went scoreless in the first quarter, but had 8 in the second after getting to the line a few times.
It hasn't been easy for Murray tonight, as this shot shows. He's 2/7 from the field through the first half.
The Heat went on a massive run in the first quarter and into the second, as Miami took a 10 point lead, the largest of the night.
Martin had a quick 6 point burst in the second quarter as Miami started to get easy buckets around the iron.
Braun is in search of an NCAA NBA back to back bid, and has 5 points off the bench in Game 5.
Bam had back to back and-1s as the Heat went on a 13-2 run in the first quarter to take the lead back.
Bam Adebayo has been the Heat's best player by far in this series, and he is showing up when they need him most.
Jokic took his time taking his first FG attempt, but he couldn't pass up this wide open three to stretch the lead out to 7 early on.
Everyone was getting involved early in the first quarter for Denver as it looked like the Nuggets were on route to a blow out!
Murray has just four points after 24 minutes in Denver, but had this jam to lead the Nuggets on a 12-0 run after 10 straight misses from Miami.
Gordon was huge in the Game 4 win, but he battled foul trouble after picking up three fouls following this early bucket.
Bam sent an early message to the Nuggets with the first bucket of the game. The Heat aren't going down without a fight in Game 5.
We are headed to halftime with the Miami Heat leading the Denver Nuggets by 7!
It's been Adebayo leading the way in the opening two quarters. He's got 18 and 9 while Butler scored 8 in the quarter and Lowry had 6.
Miami aren't shooting well, less than 40% but they have taken advantage of Denver's 9 TOs and their 1/15 shooting from DT.
Jokic and Porter Jr. lead the Nuggets with 9 a piece, Murray has 4 as the Nuggets have struggled with foul trouble since the first quarter.
Porter Jr. with a quick step and a one handed jam off the baseline drive!
Brown goes to the line after the foul on Highsmith but he misses both FTs.
Adebayo with back to back buckets after the post move on Jokic.
Bam off the pick and roll and Vincent hit him dashing to the rack for the lay up.
Braun goes to the line after Martin picks up his third, and he hits one of two FTs with 2:11 to go in the first half.
Braun crashing the boards after the Jokic missed three and he gets the put back to all.
Butler picks off Jokic and goes right to the rack off the scoop and slam!
Lowry with back to back three balls and he's got six quick points off the bench!
Murray on the turn around fader in the lane and he's got just his second FG of the night.
Jokic on the floater off the entry pass from Murray to cut the zone open.
Lowry comes out of the timeout and hits the spot up three ball over Braun!
Robinson was stripped and Brown released for the transition slam!!!
TImeout Miami after a 6-0 run from the Nuggets! 5:37 to go in the first half!
KCP off the pump fake in the corner and he hits the mid range jumper.
Jokic backs his way into the paint and hit the shot despite the double team from Lowry.
Robinson missed the three, but Adebayo got the rebound and found him cutting to the basket for the lay in and the second chance points!
Timeout Nuggets who trail by 10 after a 19 point tunraround! 7:17 left in the first half!
Robinson was left open in the corner off the inbound and he drills the triple try for his first points off the bench!
Jokic on the give and go and he got it back from Braun on for the bucket underneath.
Martin found a seam and drove to the bucket for the lay up off the glass. He's got 6 points off the bench.
Martin fouled by Gordon and he hits both FTs after Gordon picks up his third foul!
Brown going right at Love and lays it up after a strong drive.
Butler back to the line and he hits both FTs after the Murray foul, which on replay was a clean strip.
Porter Jr. drives down the lane and dumps it off to Braun for the lay in for his first points off the bench.
Gordon to the line after the foul on Butler and he hits one of two FTs.
Brown lost the ball and that leads to Butler FTs after the foul on Murray. He hits both and the Heat lead by 6.
Butler starts the quarter with his first points off a drive and finish in the lane.
The first quarter comes to a close and it was the Heat who got out of the gate early, and but Denver scored 12 in a row after 10 straight misses from Miami.
Bam Adebayo brought the Heat back with 14 first quarter points, and Miami lead by two after 12 minutes. Strus has 8 and Butler has yet to score.
Porter Jr. has 7, Jokic has 3 and Murray has 2 after a quarter in Denver.
Adebayo follows the Lowry missed lay up and gets the tip in to fall.
Murray hits Porter Jr. cutting down the lane and he hits the floater! We are tied up after a wild first quarter.
Porter Jr. snatches the offensive rebound and gets the put back over Martin.
Adebayo hits the FT out of the timeout and he's scored the last 8 Miami points.
Adebayo with the pump fake and he gets the jumper to go AND 1!!
Nuggets need a timeout with 2:14 to go in the first quarter after a 13-2 run from Miami!
Adebayo takes Green off the dribble with Jokic on the bench and he gets the hoop and the harm! FT is good and the Heat are in the lead after an 11-2 run.
Jokic just picked up his second foul with 2:51 to go in the first quarter!
Adebayo with the short jumper in the lane and he's got a quick 6.
Jokic with the wrap around pass to Green on the baseline and he hits the lay in from underneath.
Lowery hits Strus with the long outlet pass and he gets it to drop after having his dunk contested by KCP.
Lowry hits Martin on the back door cut and he finishes with the reverse lay up.
Strus gets into the lane and lobs it up to Adebayo who went up high and threw it down!
Porter Jr. fouled by Lower and he hits one of two FTs after a questionable blocking foul.
Jokic opened up to the perimeter and drills the wide open three ball from the top of the key!
Strus on the curl and he gets the lay up down the lane to go and the foul! He goes to the line and hits the FT to break the 12-0 Nuggets run.
Green throws down a tomahawk slam and the Heat need a timeout after missing their last 10 shots! 12-0 run for the Nuggets and Ball Arena is rocking!
Porter Jr. in the lane and hits the floater over the defender! 10-0 run from the Nuggets!
Murray drives right down main street for the slam after a tough screen from Jokic on Vincent at mid court1
Butler to the line after the break but he misses both FTs. The Heat haven't scored in four minutes since two quick buckets to start the game.
Butler is fouled by Gordon after a couple of offensive rebounds and he'll head to the line after the break.
Timeout Nuggets with 6:58 to go in the fourth quarter.
Tough shot from Gordon over Vincent after some heavy contact in the lane.
KCP with a runner from outside the lane and he banks it home. He's got the only points for the Nuggets so far tonight.
Gordon with an offensive foul and that's the fourth turnover in the first two and a half minutes.
KCP pulls up in the lane and strokes the short jumper from inside the FT line.
Denver has turned it over three times already!
Strus knocks down a three ball off the inbound with the shot clock expiring and that's a great sign for Miami!
Adebayo scoops up a loose ball lost by Murray and goes coast to coast for a slam!
GAME 5 IS UNDERWAY IN DENVER!!!
Ball Arena is rocking and the Nuggets are 48 minutes away from history!
For maybe the last time this season, Mike Malone is going with his studs to start tonight's game in Denver. Jokic and Murray will lead the charge, but Gordon, Porter Jr. and KCP will be ready to make a big impact just like they have as series, all playoffs and all season. Will this be the five that brings Denver their first title in franchise history.
Tyler Herro might be back, but Eric Spoelstra is going to use his sharp shooter off the bench in Game 5. Kevin Love gets the start to match up with Aaron Gordon, which worked in Game 2 when the Heat were last in Denver, but the Nuggets have figured that out. What can the Heat throw at the Nugs tonight to try to stretch the series out?
3-1 FInals history
In the history of the NBA playoffs, there has only been one team to make a comeback from a 1-3 deficit in the NBA Finals. That was the Cleveland Cavaliers when they made a miraculous comeback against the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Outside of the Finals, there have been 12 teams to comeback from 1-3 deficits to give you an idea of how rare it is to see such a dramatic bounce back. Kevin Love was a part of that Cavs team that made history to give the city of Cleveland their first title in the history of the city. Now he has another chance to be a part of history, down 1-3 to the Nuggets. This time he will have to do it without LeBron James.
Nuggets at home
The Miami Heat stole one in Denver the last time they played in Ball Arena. It was the first time the Nuggets lost a game in front of their home fans all postseason. As the top seed in the West, they secured home court throughout the playoffs as soon as the Bucks were eliminated in Round 1. They went 9-0 before the loss to Miami in Game 2, and now have a chance to close out the series and celebrated their first NBA Title in franchise history under their own roof. This a chance they won’t want to pass up, knowing a loss will mean a return trip to Miami, and that could complicate things for than Mike Malone and Nikola Jokic were planning.
Joker shrugs off records
Nikola Jokic might be in the midst of the best playoff run of anyone in the history of the league. Only four players have ever averaged a triple-double in the playoffs, and none of them have ever won the NBA title. Jokic is 0.2 assists away from averaging a triple double, and if he dishes out 14 assists and the Nuggets win he will become the first player to average a triple double and win it all. Earlier this season he already became the first to post 500 points, 250 rebounds and 150 assists in a playoff run. What does Jokic think of all this? He really doesn’t care as he repeatedly reminds us in his postgame interviews.
Miami get their Herro
After more than 7 weeks, Tyler Herro is finally set for a return in what could potentially be the final game of the Heat’s season. Eric Spoelstra told reporters pregame it’s all hands on deck for Game 5 in Denver. Herro was expected to make a return in Game 3, but had his return date pushed back to tonight after failing to get the green light from team doctors. They could have used his 20 ppg in Game 4 when they looked short of scoring options and needed someone who could create their own shot when Jimmy Buter was locked up by Gordon. Tonight Miami gets their Herro back, but is it too late?
Nuggets knocking on the door
Nikola Jokic will most likely be named Finals MVP if the Denver Nuggets go on to win Game 5 tonight, but those who have watched this team and followed this team know how important Jamal Murray has been in the Nuggets run to the Finals. For the last two seasons, Murray has missed the postseason and the Nuggets have crashed out of the playoffs earlier than expected. They went to the Finals with him as their point guard in the bubble, and they are back in the Finals again now that Murray has bounced back from injury stronger than ever.
Miami hit the road
The only way the Heat are going to survive for another game is if Jimmy Butler plays like he did in the first three rounds of the playoffs. Playoff Jimmy has not looked like himself for most of this series, but you can’t put the struggles of the Heat solely on his shoulders. His teammates haven’t been at the level they were playing at in the games leading up to the Finals. Tonight, Jimmy Buckets and his teammates are going to have to be at the top of their game if they are going to stretch the series back to Miami for Game 6.
Game 4 recap
Neither team got off to too bright of a start in Game 4 from Miami. There were just 41 total points scored between the Heat and the Nuggets in a first quarter that saw Nikola Jokic twist his ankle. The big man’s injury ended up being just a scare, but his time on the bench allowed Aaron Gordon to take over the game in the second quarter.
Gordon has given the Heat headaches all series long, with his size, power and ability to create mismatches with the small sized Miami defenders. Gordon scored 15 of his playoff career high 27 points in the second quarter as Jokic and Murray played sidekicks to the role players in Game 4. Jokic still finished the game with 24 points an Murray became the first player to dish out 10+ assists in his first four NBA Finals games, but it was Bruce Brown who would seal the win for Denver in South Beach. Brown had 11 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 21 off the bench to fend of the comeback bid from the Heat in the final minutes.
We are live from Mile High
Hello everyone and welcome to Ball Arena where the Larry O’Brien trophy is in the building. The Nuggets are as close as they have ever been to bring Denver an NBA title, and tonight they can close out the series in front of their home fans. They will have to do it against a Miami side who have their backs against the wall, facing elimination for just the second time this postseason. The Heat have been overmatched in every facet of the game all series, and if they are going to stay alive tonight they will have to figure out a way to combat the Nuggets size and strength. If they can’t it could be party time in the Mile High City.
Heat vs Nuggets Game 5
The Denver Nuggets are back at home and have a chance win their first title in franchise history tonight from Ball Arena after a successful trip to South Florida in which they beat the Heat in Game 3 and 4. Nikola Jokic and the top seeded Nuggets are now just 48 minutes away from bringing a title to the Mile High City and AS English will be with you all night, providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of Game 5 from Denver