Global Courant
Nikola Jokic led Denver to its first NBA title in team history Monday night as the Nuggets overcame terrible shooting and a late flurry from Miami’s Jimmy Butler to get past the Heat for an insane 94-89 victory in Game 5.
Jokic had 28 points and 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, who missed 20 of their first 22 three-point attempts and seven of their first 13 free throws, but figured out how to close out the series on their home floor.
Butler scored eight consecutive points to help the Heat take an 87–86 lead with 2:45 left after trailing by seven. He made two more free throws with 1:58 left to help Miami regain a one-point lead. Then, Bruce Brown got an offensive rebound and tip-in to give the Nuggets the lead for good.
Trailing by three with 15 seconds left, Butler grabbed a 3, but missed it. Brown made two free throws to put the game out of bounds and bring the title to Denver for the first time in the franchise’s 47 years in the league.
Butler finished with 21 points for the Heat.
