Tonight, the NBA Finals will begin in Denver, Colorado. Overall, it is set to be a matchup between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat. These two teams have taken many different routes to get to the NBA Finals. Firstly, you have the Denver Nuggets who were the best team in the West all season and secured the first seed. Secondly, you have the Heat, who were five minutes away from not even making it to the NBA Playoffs. As an eighth seed, they made the Finals, which is simply unfathomable.
Going into this series, there is a very obvious favorite, and for good reason. If these two teams were in the same conference, they would have played one another in the first round. Although, to completely write off the Heat would be a huge mistake. They boast the talents of Jimmy Butler, who has been phenomenal in the playoffs. According to ESPN, he has averaged 28.5 points per game in the postseason. Moreover, the team also has Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, and Duncan Robinson, who have all played their role extremely well.
That said, the Denver Nuggets have the man who should have won MVP this season, Nikola Jokic. As ESPN reports, Jokic is averaging a triple-double in the playoffs. Not to mention, players like Jamal Murray, Bruce Brown, and Michael Porter Jr. have all been lights out. Furthermore, you can’t forget to mention Aaron Gordon, who has kicked it up a notch this season. Overall, the Nuggets are just a complete team. They have systematically decimated all of their opponents, including the Lakers, who they beat in a sweep. One could make the argument that they are currently playing their best basketball of the entire season.
An NBA Finals To Remember
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: The 2018 NBA Finals MVP trophy sits near the microphone before the press conference for Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals.
With all of this being said, the question remains: who is going to win it all? Ultimately, this is where the Miami Heat Cinderella run comes to an end. Sure, Jimmy Butler has carried the Heat, but if the Celtics series proved anything, it’s that they have glaring weaknesses that the Nuggets can exploit. Moreover, Jokic had Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, and Deandre Ayton in hell in the first three rounds. Simply put, there is no way Adebayo has any shot of stopping him. Jokic will feast in the paint all series long, all while kicking the ball out to shooters like MPJ and Murray. It could get ugly very fast if the Heat go cold from beyond the arc.
Overall, it seems as though this series is destined to be short. The Heat will win one game in Miami, but the Nuggets should be able to handle their business with ease. That said, the Nuggets will be taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy in five games, and they will do so on their home court. For Nikola Jokic, it will be career-defining. For Jimmy Butler, it will just be more bulletin board material for next year.
After a long and hard-fought season, the NBA Finals are finally upon us. Overall, this Finals will take place in Denver and Miami. The Heat and Nuggets won their respective conferences, and it is clear that they are deserving. Although the Heat were barely an eighth seed, they made it through the conference. Moreover, the Nuggets dominated the Western Conference all year, and deserve to be where they are. Nikola Jokic is an absolute monster, and we can’t wait to see him against Jimmy Butler.
Furthermore, it seems like the Nuggets are very obvious favorites. On one hand, you have a one seed. The other, you have an eighth seed. Had these two teams been in the same conference, they would have played each other in the first round. However, strange things took place, and here they are, ready to fight for an NBA title. If you are a Heat fan, you cannot help but be very excited about what the team has accomplished.
The NBA Finals Are Here
Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat shoots over Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of the game at Miami-Dade Arena on February 13, 2023 in Miami, Florida. . (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Now that the Finals are here, let us bring you the schedule and start times for these games. Firstly, if you are watching these matches on TV, then you will want to tune into ABC. Secondly, Game 1 is set to go down on Thursday, June 1st. From there, Game 2 is on the 4th, Game 3 is on the 7th, and Game 4 is on the 9th. If Games 5, 6, and 7 are needed, they will take place on the 12th, 15th, and 18th. Games 2 and 7 are the only ones that will be played at 8 PM EST. All of the others will begin at 8:30 PM EST.
Lastly, the Nuggets have home court advantage. This means Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 will take place in Colorado. The others will go down in Miami. No matter what, it seems like we are going to get a very fun series. Let us know who you think will win, in the comments section below.
Camelo Anthony has retired after 19 remarkable years as one of the NBA’s most exceptional shooters. The All-Star took to social media on Monday to share his farewell message to the league and fans. Anthony was noted for his impeccable shooting skills and competitive drive and his departure from the NBA is undoubtedly bittersweet. However, his dedication to his craft has influenced many across the sport.
In the video, Anthony shared a heartfelt message, while keeping hope for what the future holds for him. Ghostface Killah’s “All That I Got Is You” played in the background while he wished the NBA goodbye. “I remember the days when I had nothing. Just a ball on a court and a dream of something more. But basketball was my outlet. My purpose was strong. My communities, the cities I represented with pride, and the fans that supported me along the way,” he said. “I am forever grateful for those people and places ’cause they made me Carmelo Anthony.”
Anthony’s impact and legacy are without question, and his absence will forever be felt in the league. From his impressive early days at high school to his stellar career strides, Anthony’s days on the court were filled with hope, highs, lows, and strength. As the NBA says goodbye to one of its greatest stars, let’s take a look at his illustrious career.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 01: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Syracuse Orangeman looks on during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at MCI Center on March 1, 2003 in Washington, DC. The Orange won 93-84 in overtime. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
A young Carmelo Anthony first garnered attention during his high school years in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2001, he was honored as the metro player of the year in the popular daily newspaper, The Baltimore Sun. During his time in Maryland, he gained other titles, including Baltimore’s County Player of the Year and All-Metropolitan Player of the Year.
Anthony continued to attract attention after enrolling at Syracuse University. He played under the training of Jim Boeheim and won his first NCAA championship in 2003. The Orangemen successfully defeated the Kansas Jayhawks while Anthony was still a freshman. He played for just one season, but made a significant mark, achieving 20 points and 10 rebounds in the final.
Boeheim and Anthony made magic together, and the coach referred to the rising star as the “best player in college basketball”. Anthony was awarded the Most Outstanding Player Award and quickly began the journey to turning pro. In the 2003 NBA draft, he declared his eligibility and left college basketball behind.
NBA Career Beginnings With The Denver Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony was the third pick overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 draft. He debuted in October of the same year at the age of 19 and wasted no time etching his name in the history books. A major feat came when he was the third youngest player to reach the 1,000-point count, which helped him secure second place for the NBA Rookie of the Year honor.
Anthony also achieved a monstrous feat when he played a major part in redeeming the Nuggets’ horrific previous season. He took the team from a 17-65 record to a remarkable 43-39 in his debut season. In addition to this, the Nuggets ended up qualifying as the eighth seed. Anthony also became the first rookie in years to lead a playoff team in scoring.
The Denver Nuggets and Anthony continued to enjoy a fair amount of success in the mid-2000s. Anthony had already risen through the ranks to become a household name. His stunning performance as a prolific scorer began to cement his status as one of the best shooters the NBA had ever seen. Anthony spent a little over half a decade with the Nuggets before the rumor mill began making the rounds that he requested a trade.
In 2011, Carmelo Anthony was officially traded to the New York Knicks. After a strong debut with the Denver Nuggets, all eyes were on the star to deliver once again. His presence in New York kicked off a massive campaign for the Knicks to achieve greater success. Anthony continued to impress, with over 25 points per game, reaffirming his strength as a scorer.
While with the Knicks, Anthony earned numerous NBA All-Star selections and All-NBA Team honors. However, regardless of his unquestionable status as one of the best shooters, the New York Knicks still suffered many losses. The team won only one playoff series during his seven seasons with them. Anthony would later ask to be traded after clashing heads with Phil Jackson, the team president at the time.
Between 2017 and 2018, Carmelo Anthony enjoyed moderate success with Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. As questions about his performance began to surface, Anthony came back swinging after signing with the Portland Trail Blazers. He kept beating his previously set high scores with the team as their games progressed. It was also during his time with the Trail Blazers that he joined the top 10 list of NBA all-time career scorers. Anthony ended his career at the Los Angeles Lakers, where he played with his longtime friend, LeBron James.
Carmelo Anthony’s Legacy
“You’re one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen.”
From his first year at Syracuse, it became quite obvious that Anthony was destined for greater success. He has amassed a total 28,289 points over his distinguished career and is the ninth on the NBA all-time scoring list. Anthony also achieved success with the U.S. national team, earning three gold medals and one bronze.
In Denver, where his professional NBA career began, Anthony is somewhat of a savior. The Nuggets’ turnaround after his debut is an iconic moment in basketball history. Anthony led the team to the playoffs in every season he spent with the team. He achieved several outstanding feats with the Knicks as well and is widely celebrated in New York for his contributions.
Outside of the court, the seasoned basketball player was known for his charity work. He has also been dedicated to fighting social injustices and using his voice to champion good. Along with his colleagues and friends, he has provided aid and relief to many underprivileged people in his community and beyond.
As he stated in his retirement video, Anthony has passed the torch on to his son Kiyan, a buzzing prospect, and the son he shares with LaLa Anthony. The world will celebrate Carmelo Anthony for years to come, and a Hall of Fame honor is definitely underway.
The Denver Nuggets have swept the Los Angeles Lakers and will make their first trip to the NBA Finals. In the series-clinching win, Nikola Jokic dropped 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists, netting him the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP Award.
Aiding the win was Jamal Murray, who had 25 points, pushing the team past a massive 31-point effort from LeBron James and a 15-point deficit, refusing to go back to Denver for a Game 5.
During the game, Jokic notched his eighth triple-double of the playoffs, pushing him past Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason.
“I think that’s why playoffs are so nice and so interesting, because you don’t care about how tired you are,” Jokic said. “You don’t care about minutes, fouls, shots, percentage. You just want to win a game. Some plays today we weren’t playing good defense sometimes, (but) you can win it in every kind of possible way.”
In a tight game, the Lakers couldn’t tie the game up for overtime as stingy defense from Murray and Aaron Gordon on James in the closing moments stopped a possession.
“For that game to go down to the wire and for the ball to be in LeBron James’ hands, those seconds were an eternity,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “When the buzzer went off, it was almost surreal for a second. Couldn’t be more proud of this group.”
The Los Angeles Lakers officially sit in a 0-2 hole after Jamal Murray’s fourth-quarter explosion led the Denver Nuggets to a 108-103 Game Two win in the NBA Western Conference Finals.
The series will now shift to Game 3 as the Lakers are in a must-win situation, hoping to claw back and win the series. It will be no easy task, as the Lakers will now have to beat the Nuggets four times in the next five games to make the NBA Finals.
The star duo of the Lakers, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, both gave mediocre performances in the game. Despite nearly notching a triple-double, James shot 0-6 from three-point range, including missing three in the crucial fourth quarter. Davis would miss 11 of his 15-shot attempts.
In the postgame, James was looking forward to Game 3. “I think we improved from Game 1 to Game 2, and if we can do the same thing from Game 2 to Game 3, we put ourselves in a position to win.”
Both James and Davis vowed to be better for the 7:30 ET tip at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Also notable was James turning his ankle in the game, but he plans to be ready to play on Saturday. “A little ankle isn’t going to stop me,” James said to ESPN.
For the Nuggets, Murray reflected on his total of 37 points, and enjoyed a moment where he eyed ESPN broadcaster Mike Breen and mouthed his trademark “Bang!”
“When I was little, I used to count down the seconds off the shot clock and make the shot and talk like Marv Albert and Mike Breen,” Murray said. “Just the imagination running as a kid. When you get in that moment and you see your fam in the crowd, see your little brother, see Mike Breen there, all these little reminders, they all pay dividends and make that moment a little more special. Just kind of lock you back in.”
Not to be overlooked, two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic dropped another triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists.
The Denver Nuggets have reached the Western Conference Finals four times in franchise history prior to 2023. And every time they’ve made it, it’s marked the end of their playoff run that year. The first time was in 1978 when they lost to the Seattle SuperSonics. However, on the other three occasions (1985, 2009, 2020), the Nuggets have lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
That meant it was all the more important that Denver won Game 1 against the 2023 Lakers. The Lakers were coming off two giant slaying series, taking down the two-seed Grizzlies and reigning champion Warriors. LeBron, Anthony Davis, and their eclectic supporting cast were hungry and ready to storm back to the NBA Finals.
Heading into halftime, the Nuggets were sitting pretty with an 18-point lead. They had been handling the Lakers well on both ends of the court and would cruise to a blowout win if the trend continued. But the Lakers came out of the break with a brand-new look and the now the Nuggets were scrambling for a response. The lead was down to 14 by the end of the third and a run late in the fourth had the Nuggets up by three. But Denver was able to score some late free throws and come away with a 132-126 victory.
Nikola Jokić was once again the savior of the Nuggets. The MVP runner-up had a 34-point triple-double, with 21 rebounds and 14 assists. It made Jokić the first player in playoff history to have 30-point triple-doubles with 70% shooting in back-to-back games. Jamal Murray also had a 30-point game for Denver, adding 31 to the scoreboard. That along with solid performances elsewhere, was enough to erase the 66 points put up by LeBron and AD, including 40 from Davis alone. What ultimately killed the Lakers was leaving the comeback too late. Furthermore, Dennis Schroder, DeAngelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Lonnie Walker combined for just 20 points on 88 total floor minutes. Denver, who went 34-7 at home during the regular season, will look to extend their lead in Game 2 on Thursday.
Twitter Reacts
So funny how Lakers-Nuggets looks like an All-Star game and Celtics-Heat gonna look like WW1
A win is a win, but if I’m Denver, I treat this like a loss. Lakers really figured something out putting Hachimura on Jokic. That’s one of those somewhat small adjustments that can win a series.
The Los Angeles Lakers were staring down a 20-point lead and an onslaught from Nikola Jokic late in the 3rd quarter. A raucous fourth-quarter comeback attempt made Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, and the rest of the series, a must-see as the LakeShow seemed to figure out a strategy but just fell short, 132-126.
Jokic had 34 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists. Yes, that’s a real stat line. And Jamal Murray added 31 points to lead the Nuggets. Anthony Davis responded with 40 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. LeBron James added 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, but missed a game-tying 3-pointer late in the game.
But the Lakers appeared to find a new strategy for tackling Jokic late. Switching forward Rui Hachimura onto Jokic allowed Davis to roam the paint and also come over for help, slowing the Denver offense down and allowing the Lakers to claw back in the game.
“You have to switch up matchups at times and you have to switch up coverages,” Ham said. “Gave us a chance to get back into the game.”
The Lakers will now turn their attention to Game 2 when they return to the high altitude of Ball Arena and try to steal a game on the road.
“We’ve got to understand that we’ve got to start from the tip-off. They punched us in the mouth to start.” LeBron on the #Lakers slow start and adjustments down the stretch. pic.twitter.com/CW6jRaLJjr
With the conference semifinals finished, it’s time for an NBA Conference Finals prediction. Only four teams remain in the playoffs as each one searches for a crucial victory to get them to the Finals, where they can taste the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Ironically, these four teams are the exact teams that stood in these positions three years ago during the bubble: Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics. It’s been an upset-filled playoff as a seven and eight seed have somehow made it this far. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Ja Morant, De’Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, and others are eliminated, but Jimmy Butler, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Jayson Tatum remain.
These star players have dragged their teams to the Conference Finals. Many of them are probably exhausted from the work they’ve had to put in to get here. However, as the late, great Kobe Bryant once said: “The job’s not finished.” These teams would like to have two more series and end with a ring to cement their place in history. Here’s which teams will actually be able to do just that.
NBA Conference Finals Prediction: It’s Denver’s Ring To Lose
By most metrics, the Denver Nuggets are the best team remaining. They have arguably the most complete roster. They also have, with ease, the best player left in Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets dispatched Kevin Durant and withstood a historic Devin Booker series to win against the Phoenix Suns in six games. While the Suns were missing Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton in Game 6, the series wasn’t all that difficult for Denver.
On the other side, it’s a miracle that the Lakers are still standing. They took on the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies and ousted them, thanks in part to the disrespect Dillon Brooks (who won’t be re-joining the team) showed LeBron James. Waiting next for the Lakers was Steph Curry and the reigning world champions, the Golden State Warriors. They dispatched them in six games without struggling all that much, either.
Can The Lakers’ Magic Continue?
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are possibly a stronger duo than any other team in the league. However, they don’t have the depth to take on Denver. While Anthony Davis is a defensive threat, no one has been able to stop Jokic. Denver has come up short the past few seasons and Jokic has been arguably the best player in the world during that time. They’re due for a championship if there ever was such a thing.
Jokic is the kind of player who can carry a team all the way. Fortunately, he doesn’t have to do it alone. His complementary pieces in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. give them a nice starting lineup. Even Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is playing well. The Lakers have been on a magical run. It’s one that would go down in history if it were to go all the way. Unfortunately, a juggernaut stands in their way once again.
NBA Conference Finals Prediction: Denver Nuggets in seven games
NBA Conference Finals Prediction: Miami’s Luck Runs Out
The Miami Heat have had an impressive run to the Conference Finals. They withstood the play-in tournament to earn the eighth seed. They went on to dismantle the number one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks with relative ease. Jimmy Butler reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the best in the game in the process. They followed it up by dispatching the New York Knicks, too. They enter as major underdogs (+400 to Boston’s -525) in the series.
The Boston Celtics just had one of the more intense and enjoyable (from a fan perspective) series of the entire playoffs. They found themselves down 3-2 to the newly crowned MVP and his Philadelphia 76ers. Boston also trailed late in Game 6. They came back, Jayson Tatum said he was one of the best in the world. He followed that statement up with 51 points in Game 7 (a new Game 7 record) to seal it.
Will Boston Redeem Last Year’s Finals Loss?
The Celtics are a much better team than the Heat. Where the Heat is led by Butler and Bam Adebayo (two admittedly great players), the Celtics are led by two elite players in Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Both teams are extremely well-coached and this should be an entertaining series where everyone forgets that Miami is an eight-seed. Still, the Celtics’ talent should win out.
Tatum will be guarded by a top defender in Butler. Humbly, he is one of the best players in the world, though. If he’s being shut down, too, the C’s have other stars that can carry the load. They’re too deep and the Heat are too thin for their unprecedented run to continue. They should be applauded for making it this far, but it likely ends here. Both teams have been to a Finals recently (Boston last year and Miami in 2020 in the bubble). Ultimately, this means talent will win out.
NBA Conference Finals prediction: Boston Celtics in seven games
Cam’ron and Ma$e have been having themselves a great time on their new show, It Is What It Is. Although they had a falling out a while back, they are now friends again. Overall, this has been great news for the hip-hop world. Fans have been excited about a potential new album from these two. However, it seems like they are mainly focused on taking over the sports media world. They have great chemistry on their show, and so far, it has all been a massive success. There is no doubt that they can keep this going for a long time.
That said when you work in the sports media game, you have to make appearances at the games. Otherwise, some may throw your knowledge into question. Having said that Cam’ron and Ma$e decided to pop out at the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets. Last night, the game was in Phoenix, and Game 4 was pivotal for many reasons. If the Suns lost, they would be down 3-1 in the series. However, with a win, they could even it up heading back to Denver.
In the end, Cam’ron and Ma$e got to witness and pretty phenomenal match. Overall, it was the Phoenix Suns who came out on top, despite everything Nikola Jokic tried. Now, the series is tied at two games a piece, and it is anyone’s series. At this point, no one really knows who is going to come through and win. Either way, a trip to the Western Conference Finals is at stake. The winner will either play the Los Angeles Lakers or the Golden State Warriors.
Speaking of that series, perhaps Cam and Ma$e will want to make the trip to L.A. tonight for Game 4. If there is any game they would want to take in, it would be that one. The Lakers have an opportunity to go up 3-1 in the series, which would be a massive achievement. Let us know who you think is taking the NBA Championship this year, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world.
Jamal Murray is chomping at the bit heading into the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets guard was sidelined all of last season after a knee injury. Now, Murray wants to make a positive impact on the team after such a long absence. However, it seems the injury bug will not leave Murray alone. Murray has been dealing with a nagging thumb injury on his shooting hand. Although the injury has admittedly bothered Murray. Nuggets fans may have some good news on the way.
Mike Singer of the Denver Post sent out this tweet on Murray’s thumb injury. “Jamal Murray said his thumb is still bothering him and it’s definitely still on his mind when he’s shooting. But he was a full participant today and should be a full go.” It doesn’t seem like the thumb injury will have Murray sidelined when the playoffs begin this weekend. The Nuggets are the number one overall seed in the Western Conference. The team has flexed its dominance all season behind MVP candidate Nikola Jokic.
Jamal Murray Ready For Playoff Push
Jamal Murray said his thumb is still bothering him and it’s definitely still on his mind when he’s shooting. But he was a full participant today and should be a full go.
The team is ready to begin their quest for a title. However, they still don’t know who their first-round opponent will be. The Timberwolves will meet the winner of Thunder-Pelicans to decide the final playoff spot. With all the talks of upsets in the Western Conference, the Nuggets haven’t been mentioned in those discussions. One seeds are not normally sent home in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. However, just ask the Dallas Mavericks. It can be done.
Whoever their opponent may be, the Nuggets will not take them likely. Murray became a playoff superstar during the bubble year. The Nuggets and Jazz gave fans one of the best playoff series of all time that year. So having Jamal Murray at full strength will be massive for the Nuggets. The number one team in the West looks to be as full strength as you can be this late in the season. However, will it be enough for the Nuggets to make the NBA Finals? Give us your predictions on who will win the Western Conference in the comment section. For the latest news involving the NBA Playoffs, keep it right here at HNHH.
