Kiszla: After waiting 56 long years for a shot, the Nuggets can’t lose in their first NBA Finals appearance. When’s the victory parade? The Miami Heat, a No. 8 seed? C’mon, how much easier could winning the first championship in franchise history be for Denver? If I’m reading the betting odds out of Las Vegas correctly, the probability of your Nuggies beating the Heat in this series is nearly 83%. Denver in five? OK, let’s not start the victory parade quite yet. What’s the biggest challenge Miami presents Nikola Jokic and the fellas?
Singer: Hubris, and you couldn’t have described it better, Kiz. The Nuggets had well over a week to rest and recuperate from *checks notes* that arduous four-game sweep over the Lakers. Meanwhile, Miami could barely decide whether to flirt with disaster or fight for its life. A No. 8 seed, on no rest, playing at altitude, against a team that hasn’t lost at home during the playoffs? Denver has all the reason in the world to think this will be easy, which is exactly why it won’t be. The Nuggets are going to need to fight human condition and treat Miami like the toughest opponent they’ve seen all postseason. And, in truth, the Heat might be. Miami’s competitive spirit and dogged tenacity are exactly why it’s still standing.
Kiszla: Before the Heat wrecked the greatest comeback in the history of the NBA playoffs by routing Boston on its home floor in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was asked to give his evaluation of both teams. And his response was telling. While Murray obviously respected the talent of Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, I got the impression he was even more impressed by the relentless, ornery, never-say-die character of the Heat. The Nuggets are more talented. But give Miami life at your own peril.
Singer: Jimmy Butler is a bold, brash playoff performer whose confidence permeates through the rest of Miami’s locker room. Erik Spoelstra is a mastermind NBA coach, who’s been here before. Bam Adebayo is one of the league’s few centers who has a prayer against Nikola Jokic. What Caleb Martin did in Game 7 speaks for itself. And the rest of Miami’s squad is composed of overlooked, underappreciated role players who epitomize team basketball. If you don’t have respect for the Heat’s improbable run to the Finals, then I don’t know what to tell you. Miami’s legit.
Kiszla: With 20/20 hindsight, even a knucklehead like me can see the Nuggets have their best-shot ever to win a championship for the simplest of reasons: They are the most talented team in the 2023 playoff field. Joker is knocking on the door to an exclusive club where the best centers of all time reside, ready to join Kareem, Wilt, Russ and Shaq. But my respect for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is immense. What tricks might Spoelstra have up his sleeve to slow the roll of Jokic and Murray?
Singer: Well, we’re going to see a lot of zone defense, which might level out the matchup disparity that leans heavily in Denver’s favor. I also anticipate seeing Butler on Murray, hounding him all over the court. Opponents have often tried length on Murray to mitigate his impressive shot-making. But I believe Coach Spo’s already lost sleep while contemplating how to slow Jokic. And if Denver’s shooters — MPJ and KCP — are raining 3-pointers like they’re capable of, the Nuggets’ floor-spacing might flummox whatever wrinkles Miami’s waiting to deploy. Through three rounds, Denver’s offense has given us no reason not to trust it. I expect more of the same.
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