Key Takeaways
As the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games to secure a trip to the NBA Finals.
The Nuggets were the #1 seed in the Western Conference and in the conference finals to reach their first NBA Finals.
Nikola Jokic -360Jokic won the regular season MVP in the last two seasons but was edged out this season by Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jokic is easily the best player on the Nuggets and has the ability to post a triple-double on any given night. He narrowly missed averaging a triple-double this season with 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game. He was ranked #2 in the NBA in rebounds and #3 in assists. Jokic is considered the best passing big man in the league and he s able to use his height and ball-handling skills to find open teammates when he draws double teams.
During the 2023 postseason, Jokic for every opponent. He notched eight triple-doubles, which broke a record previously held by Wilt Chamberlain. He s averaging a triple-double in the playoffs, with 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, while shooting 47.4% from 3-point range.
During the conference semifinals, Jokic averaged 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game against the Phoenix Suns. He dropped 53 points in a Game 4 loss.
Jokic is the consensus favorite to win the MVP at -360 odds because he ll have to have a fantastic postseason if the Nuggets expect to win the championship.
