Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat to win first NBA title as Nikola Jokic stars in Game 5 victory
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Updated 13/06/2023 at 08:35 GMT
The Denver Nuggets were crowned NBA champions for the first time in their history after a 4-1 win over Miami Heat in the Finals. Nikola Jokic was the star player for the Nuggets as they won the fifth game 94-89 to secure the trophy. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said afterwards that the next step for the team is to "be a dynasty" after winning the title.
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The Denver Nuggets clinched their first NBA title with a 94-89 victory over Miami Heat in Game Five of the Finals.
Nikola Jokic led the way with 28 points and 16 rebounds as the Nuggets won the series 4-1.
Jokic was named the most valuable player of the Finals to add to the two overall MVPs he won in 2021 and 2022.
"We're not in it for ourselves, we're in it for the guy next to us and that's why this [means] even more," said Jokic.
"It was an amazing effort by the team. That is why basketball is a fun sport, it is a live thing, you cannot say this going to happen, there are so many factors.
"I'm just happy we won the game."
Jokic averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds and 7.2 assists across the series.
The Nuggets had won the previous two games by large margins, but this time were forced to scrap for the title-clinching victory.
They trailed by seven at half-time after missing 20 of their first 22 three-point attempts and seven of their first 13 free throws.
The Nuggets improved to take the lead before Jimmy Butler scored eight straight points to put the Heat ahead by one late in the game.
But Bruce Brown scored to swing the score back in the Nuggets' favour before putting the game beyond reach with two free throws.
“The last step after a champion is to be a dynasty,” said Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
“So we're not satisfied. We accomplished something this franchise has never done before. But we have a lot of young, talented players in that locker room.
“And I think we just showed through 16 playoff wins what we're capable of on the biggest stage in the world. And the best part about it is the people I just did that with.”
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