It’s a David and Goliath matchup in the 2023 NBA Finals as the eighth-seeded Miami Heat take on the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. Pick: Nuggets -8.If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. I do think the Heat start making some of the shots they were missing in Game 1, but I don't think it'll be enough to match a Denver team that lacks many weaknesses. The Nuggets steamrolled over the Heat, and their size advantage proved to be too much to overcome. However, while the offense may solve itself out, especially if Tyler Herro eventually returns, that doesn't address the fact that this team basically has no one to adequately guard Jokic. The bright side is that we've seen this Heat team respond positively to a poor shooting game, so if those shots start to fall this could be a far closer affair in Game 2. Bam Adebayo had a standout game, and that was one of the silver linings for the Heat, but if Max Strus, Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin are going to combine for six points, this team is in serious trouble. Yes, the team struggled mightily to knock down 3s, making them at just a 33.3% clip, and while the team was getting open looks, if that shot isn't falling Miami's game plan is in jeopardy. Heat: Call it tiredness or a result of the elevation in Denver, but Miami just looked outmatched in Game 1. If the Nuggets continue to play like they did in Game 1, this could be a very quick series.

He was supremely efficient in scoring, found his teammates in the right spot and corralled rebounds to lead his team to their first NBA Finals win. Aside from the supporting cast, Jokic once again proved why he's so dominant with a triple-double that looked far too easy for the Serbian big man. Even Bruce Brown put up 10 points off the bench to add to Denver's offensive firepower.

Four of Denver's five starters scored in double figures, with Aaron Gordon having an immediate impact in the first quarter after Miami's game plan to essentially ignore him on offense backfired. Nuggets: If there was concern about how the supporting cast around Jokic would perform in the NBA Finals, those thoughts were quickly put to rest Thursday night.

Download stream the nba finals