Golden Era: The Denver Nuggets are NBA Champions

For the first time ever, the Larry O’Brien trophy has a home in Denver.

The Nuggets are NBA Champions for the first time in franchise history.

It wasn’t easy. The Nuggets played a forgettable first half of basketball where they shot 1-15 from 3 and trailed the Heat 51-44 at the break. Bam Adebayo (18 points) outscored Nikola Jokic (9 points) and Jamal Murray (4 points) combined.

But the Nuggets began to slowly resemble the dominant team that they’ve been throughout these playoffs in the third quarter. Denver opened the second half on a 16-9 run. Late in the third, the Nuggets finally regained the lead. After struggling with his jumper throughout the Finals, Michael Porter Jr. finally got a 3-pointer to fall late in the period. The Nuggets outscored the Heat 26-20 in the third and trailed by one heading to the fourth.

Then, Denver started playing its brand of basketball again. With the Nuggets leading 90-89 with just over a minute left in the fourth Denver got the one stop it needed when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came up with a steal. Caldwell-Pope was fouled and drained two free throws to put the Nuggets up 92-89 with 24.7 seconds left. That was the margin that Denver needed.

The Nuggets win 94-89

The Nuggets have climbed the mountain top. They’re NBA Champions. Welcome to the Golden Era of Nuggets basketball.

Finally!