The Finals: AG and The Nuggets Secure Game 1

After over a week of waiting for the Nuggets, the finals matchup was finally set. After a hard-fought series, the Heat advanced after a game 7 victory over the Celtics. This finals matchup has been the least expected for fans and a plot twist for the NBA scriptwriters. Both teams have performed well and defeated the odds throughout the playoffs. With the better record starting at home, Nuggets have been undefeated in the playoffs, now 9-0 at Ball Arena.

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Nuggets fans have shown amazing dedication and support throughout the season. In light of the Finals, artist @DeTour303 has once again painted an incredible mural downtown of both Murray and Jokic. The Co-Founder and I had a chance to visit one of his other murals of Jokic earlier in the season. This new mural can be found on Colfax between race and high street hoping to stop by myself soon! Speaking of streets, in light of the finals and the Nuggets first time appearance, Bannock Street Plaza was renamed Denver Nuggets Way. Mayor Hancock and Rocky, Nuggets mascot, unveiled the sign on May 31st.

Credit: CBS Colorado

Nuggets had complete control over the Heat with a final score of 104-93. With no surprise, Jokic scored 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, becoming his 9th triple-double of the playoffs. He has set the record for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. Jamal Murray had a solid night, scoring 26 points and 10 assists but struggled vigorously last night, only going 2-7 at the three-point line. Bruce Brown, who has had a great postseason, scored 10 points and was 2-3 for field goals. The rookie Christian Braun has been getting significant playing time throughout the playoffs but has been unable to replicate his performance from the regular season. Malone has high hopes for the younger player, but Braun put up no points and seems hesitant to put up shots.

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Securing the 1-0 series start, Aaron Gordon, aka "Mr. Nugget," was the highlight of the night. Throughout the playoffs, Gordon has been relatively quiet and has struggled at the free-throw line significantly, but last night that completely changed. Gordon seemed to go in full gear scoring 12 points in just the first quarter with 7 field goals made. After each layup yelling into the crowd with excitement. Gordon, the winner of the NBA Dunk of the Year after a Jordan-like dunk during the Christmas Day game, slammed an impressive dunk last night that had the crowd shaken up. In an interview with Malika Andrews before game 1, Gordon mentioned wanting to get "his dunk" against the Heat.

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Even though the Nuggets seem to have such high team morale not letting anyone in their path, the Heat doesn't seem bothered with last night's loss. Many teams coming into Denver for the first game have seemed to struggle with Altitude sickness. During the pregame show, hosts Grant Hill and Charles Barkley were caught wearing oxygen masks. Jimmy Butler walked off the court, slightly shaking his head, not fazed by what happened. He showed this emotion during the series against the Celtics when Deric Whites game-winning layup forced game 7. Butler claims that "It doesn't matter if I score 40 or 50, 19 or nine. We always have enough to win. And if I score 10 points next game and we win, that won't be an issue." (Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel) Butler and his team seemed determined to do whatever it took to win this series. Butler scored 13 last night and had 7 rebounds and an assist. Heats star player Bam Adebayo scored 26 with 13 assists and 5 rebounds.

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Hope is not lost yet for the Heat; there have been many reports of Tyler Herro possibly returning for game 2. Herro had suffered a fractured hand, and they said they wanted to give him a few more days of rest before returning to play. Could this be a significant turning point for the team and help lead them to victory?

Game 2 will return to Ball Arena on Sunday, June 4th, before heading to Miami. Will the Nuggets continue to be undefeated at home? Or will Butler and the Heat bounce back to tie the series? Leave a comment below on your prediction!