check out the “X-ray” of the NBA Finals starters

Starts today, Thursday, 01, the NBA Finals between miami heat It is denver nuggets, at Ball Arena in Denver. Game 1 of the decision kicks off between two teams arriving at different times, with the Florida team considered the great ““dark horse” of the tournament, since it qualified in the last available spot in the Eastern Conference, being about to face the squad that was the leader of the West, with 53 victories, and that swept one of the favorites in the competition, Los Angeles Lakers.

The Miami Heat has bet, so far, on its most skilled player: Jimmy Butler. At the age of 33, the American – who loves Brazil and its peculiarities – arrived at the franchise in 2019 and has already made a good impact since then. Last season, the roster faced the same scenario in the East finals, the Boston Celtics, however, was defeated. And at the time, Butler assured: “We’ve had enough. Next year we’ll have enough. We’ll be in that situation again and we’ll get the job done.”said the athlete when he was eliminated in 2022. Said and done.

On the side of the Denver Nuggets, the team that won nine more games than its opponent, in the regular season, has a team of players who worked hard to reach this moment. Especially with his two-time MVP (Most Valuable Player), Nikola Jokic. The Serbian who almost won his third prize this year. And that, linked to the shipowner Jamal Murray, became a cold and efficient duo to face any opponent. And that could complicate for the Heat.

But who, among these squads, wins in each position? Let’s take an X-ray of the sportbuzz for the entire match between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets, between the starters, to get a better prediction of what should happen from Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Pivot

Nikola Jokic vs Bam Adebayo: Jokic

The most indisputable part of the X-ray. Nikola Jokic won two MVPs for consecutive years (2021 and 2022 seasons) and is the best and most decisive offensive player in the NBA. With an unenviable physique, the player averages 29.9 points per game, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists. In addition, in this 2023 season, he improved his 3 shot and, inside the paint, he is practically lethal. Especially against smaller players, which is the case with the Miami Heat.

Already Bam Adebayo He is one of the best centers in the NBA, and he is also an excellent defender. He has good perimeter mobility, which makes him even more valuable. However, on the offensive side, he is less consistent than Jokic. And he’ll need to do his best to match or approach his opponent’s numbers to secure wins for the Miami Heat, especially away from home.

wing-pivot

Aaron Gordon vs Kevin Love: Gordon

Aaron Gordon was one of those considered to join the NBA All-Star team, but did not get a place in the end. He is a great finisher of the moves that Nikola Jokic gives him as a gift. However, in the defensive sector, the player stands out even more. Mainly helping the Denver Nuggets to “camouflage” several defensive flaws that the team has.

Love from Heat left Cleveland Cavaliers and, according to the athlete, it was the best thing he ever did. That’s because injuries hindered him a lot in his trajectory and Dean Wade was also taking his position. Reaching the NBA finals every time he went to the playoffs – only once without LeBron James – (6, counting that one), he is a player with inconsistent numbers in the playoffs (13.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1. 8 assists), as much as he has a lot of quality. Still, the possibility of the athlete getting injured is a constant concern.

Allah

Michael Porter Jr. x Jimmy Butler: Butler

Porter He is an extremely effective player and his height makes him even better. He’s always been pegged as a poor defensive back, but he improved a lot in that regard during the 2023 season. He’s a consistent player who fits in well with the Denver Nuggets’ style of play.

Jimmy Butler is undoubtedly one of the best players in the current NBA. And, without a doubt, along with Jokic, one of the best players in the playoffs. No wonder he was named Eastern Conference MVP against the Boston Celtics. Noting, in the last victory of the Heat, 28 points. It’s basically the cog that makes Miami’s entire offensive game turn and plays a key role in the franchise’s defense.

Wing guard

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP) vs Max Strus: KCP

Caldwell-Pope has proven to be one of the most efficient players in the Playoffs and, as an excellent defender in the NBA, he will play a key role in nullifying Jimmy Butler, a fact that has happened before. The player is experienced and gives peace of mind to the Nuggets team. In addition, he comes looking for his second ring, as he won the 2020 season with the Los Angeles Lakers, on the bubble.

the undrafted Max Strus has shown hard and consistent work. The player was at the Boston Celtics in 2019, passing through the Chicago Bulls and having his first official game, precisely the Miami Heat, the team he currently plays. A year later, he arrived at the current franchise and has become a defensive mainstay of the team, as well as an elite shooter when it comes to 3 balls.

Owner

Jamal Murray vs Gabe Vincent: Murray

Jamal Murray has been overwhelming in the NBA Playoffs, averaging an impressive 27.7 points per game. In addition, he was the main player in the 4th decision against the Los Angeles Lakers, which ended up sweeping LeBron James’ team. The player has been Nikola Jokic’s “right-hand man” at the Denver Nuggets, and already has a 39% success rate in the 2023 postseason.

On the other side, Gabe Vincent had a hard road to get to the Miami Heat and is a pleasant surprise. He went through the G-League’s Stockton Kings, but was released. He was signed by the Heat with a discreet contract, but the player stood out so much that he managed to carve out his position in the main roster of the franchise. At just 26 years old, he has been developing more with each match.

Final score: Denver Nuggets 4 x 1 Miami Heat.