This year’s NBA finals are a matchup that no one really expected. The number 1 seed in the West, the Denver Nuggets, face off against the number 8 seed in the East, the Miami Heat, who had to compete in the Play-In tournament to even make the playoffs.

The path to the NBA finals was not easy for either team. The Nuggets had to get past an offensive juggernaut in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the Phoenix Suns, and in the conference finals they faced Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers…who they swept in 4 games. And for Miami, after surviving the Play-In tournament, the Heat ran into the number 1 seed in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks with the arguable MVP of the league, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and beat them 4 games to 1. In the Conference Finals, the Heat beat the Boston Celtics in a thrilling 7 game series earning 3 of their 4 wins in Boston.

This might not be the NBA Finals matchup that people wanted, but it is the competitive series all of us need to see. 

The Denver Nuggets’ have the people to win; two time MVP Nikola Jokic and epic performer in the playoffs Jamal Murray are why the team is now favored to win this series. They have been doubted and overlooked throughout the playoffs, even though they were the number one team in the West for the majority of the regular season. One thing for sure is that the Nuggets are hungry and ready to win as they head into their first NBA finals appearance in franchise history.

The Miami Heat have all star talent on their roster, stand outs are Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, who have led their team through thick and thin. The Miami Heat have always prided their success off of tough and aggressive defense, but they had the lowest points per game scored in the regular season in the entire league. This was a major concern for the Heat entering the playoffs, but they were able to overcome the doubts, which is why they are in the position they are in now. 

As we head into the Finals, multiple questions will be answered. Can Bam Adebayo prevent Nikola Jokic’s triple double streak? Could Miami have Tyler Herro back for some games? Will Denver keep up their efficient scoring against the gritty Miami defense? Who will step up for Denver and take the challenge of guarding Jimmy Butler? Will Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent continue to bring the scoring attack needed to give the Heat the bump they need against Denver?

It is obvious after Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night, that both teams will leave everything they have on the floor to bring home the Larry O’Brian Trophy and give the NBA fans around the world a match up for the ages. It is going to be a very close series, decided in six or seven games, and I predict the Denver Nuggets will pull through and win their first NBA Finals in franchise history.