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The Nuggets and Heat are up 2-0, what now?

By Leocciano Callao

Nov 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) guards in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 16: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball against Dennis Schroder #17 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 16, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 16: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball against Dennis Schroder #17 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 16, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Nuggets head to LA

The Nuggets have been on top of the Western Conference for most of the season. It comes as no surprise that they are competing to represent the west in the NBA Finals.

After winning consecutive MVP awards, Nikola Jokic fell as a runner-up to Joel Embiid this year. His postseason performance so far has been the perfect “I’ll show them” response to his non-voters. The Joker is averaging a triple-double (30.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists) in these playoffs. To say he has been dominant would be an injustice to this generational talent.

Of course, Jokic is not breaking his back carrying the weight of the Rockies. If you ever doubted Jamal Murray’s ability as Jokic’s dance partner, look no further. The two have done a great job as protagonists in Denver. In their 132-126 Game 1 win, Jokic’s 34-21-14 triple-double was supplemented by a 31-5-5 performance from Murray. In Game 2, when Jokic scored below average with 27, Murray tallied 37 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and four steals to seal a 108-103 win.

The supporting cast has also been great for Michael Malone’s squad. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Micheal Porter Jr. have been efficient on the ball, Aaron Gordon has been the spark of the defense, and Bruce Brown has found a home in Denver–becoming the super-sub for the Nuggets.

But you can’t sleep on the Lakers. This team rallied from the Play-In Tournament, got through a surging Grizzlies team, and took care of business against the reigning champs from San Francisco. LeBron James and Anthony Davis have the biggest chips on their shoulders and their team naturally does better at home. The Nuggets were tenth in the odds to win the title at the beginning of the season. Now the ever-changing odds favor them to win everything.

The series is heading to Hollywood for the next two games. Should Jokic and company keep performing at this level, there will be no denying their place as the best in the West. But the Lakers will not go down without a scrap.