NBA experts' picks for Heat-Nuggets and Finals MVP

ESPN.com

May 31, 2023, 01:09 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat are set to face off in the 2023 NBA Finals. Each team has their own unique story along the way, and each is looking to cap it with a perfect ending.

The top-seeded Nuggets are in the Finals for the first time in franchise history. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have been among the best duos in the playoffs this year and will be looking to cement their dominant run, which includes series wins over the star-studded Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers. The legacy of Jokic, already a two-time Most Valuable Player, could take a giant step forward with a win, too.

The No. 8-seeded Heat are looking to cap off one of the most unlikely championship runs in recent NBA history. Miami, behind playoff hero Jimmy Butler, had to bounce back from a home loss in the first round of the play-in tournament, and struck down the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics in a wild seven-game Eastern Conference finals. Butler has added more fuel to the "Playoff Jimmy" moniker with his leadership and performance during this Finals' run.

But who will get to write their perfect ending? On the eve of Game 1 in Denver (Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), our experts break down who they think will walk away from the Finals with a title, and which star will claim Finals MVP honors.

MORE: NBA Finals schedule and news | Series odds