By Steve Keating
Toronto: Led by 28 points from Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 94-89 on Tuesday (AEST) to bring a first NBA title to Mile High City.
With a raucous capacity crowd packed into Ball Arena ready to celebrate, the Nuggets ended a 47-year championship wait by taking the best-of-seven series 4-1.
Once again the Nuggets were led by Jokic, the Serbian big man hitting for a double-double of 28 points and 16 rebounds while Michael Porter jr contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The eighth-seeded Heat had defied the odds throughout the post-season, taking out the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, but the challenge facing them on Tuesday was a near impossible one.
Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic, right, and Miami Heat centre Bam Adebayo, compete for a rebound. Credit: AP
Of the 36 teams that have fallen behind 3-1 in an NBA Finals only one, the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, came back to claim the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Making the task even more daunting, Ball Arena has been a virtual fortress for the Nuggets, who were 9-1 at home during the post-season.
After not winning the NBA MVP award for the first time in three seasons, Jokic instead helped Denver earn the ultimate team prize while landing the finals MVP honour.
More to come.
