After 47 years, the Denver Nuggets win their first-ever NBA title.
The Nuggets hoisted the Larry O' Brien Trophy in front of their home crowd after defeating the Miami Heat, 94-89, in Game Five on Monday, June 12, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, United States.
Finals Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic finished with 28 points, and 16 rebounds while Michael Porter Jr. registered 16 points and 13 rebounds for Denver to put an end to the best-of-seven series.
After ending the first half down by seven points, 51-44, the Nuggets managed to take the lead, 69-66, in the third quarter after Porter buried a three-point basket.
Kyle Lowry also made a basket from downtown for Miami to regain the lead, 71-70, at the end of the period.
The team of Coach Michael Malone went up anew, 75-71, after Jokic and Jamal Murray, who finished with 14 points, scored back-to-back baskets to kick off the fourth quarter of the game.
With less than two minutes left in the clock, Jimmy Butler buried two free throws to give the lead back to the Heat, 89-88, but Bruce Brown managed to put back a miss by Murray in order for the Nuggets to take the lead for good.
Back-to-back charities by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brown secured the victory for Denver.
Butler scored 21 points, Bam Adebayo chipped in 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Max Strus and Lowry each added 12 points to pace the squad of Coach Erik Spoelstra
