Since falling in six games to the Lakers in the NBA Finals back in 2020, the Miami Heat have never been closer to winning it all than they are right now. While many wrote them off after they barely escaped the Bulls in the play-in tournament, Jimmy Butler has helped bring this team back from the brink and steamrolled the competition as an unlikely eighth seed. They may have their most difficult test ahead of them yet, however, as the Denver Nuggets lay between them and a championship.
While the Nuggets were resting up after promptly sweeping the Lakers in four games, the Heat were engaged in a seven-game war of attrition with Boston. Not having any time to rest, the Heat were forced to hop straight on a plane to Denver following their Eastern Conference Finals victory. Since the Mile High City is notorious for its high altitude and difficulty maintaining stamina, it makes sense why Miami would want to have as much time as possible to acclimate to the conditions.
Now, the former beloved member of the Bulls and current Heat superstar Butler is set to have his hands full against Nikola Jokic and his first-seeded Denver Nuggets.
Although the Chicago Bulls fell short of their goals this season, one former player in Jimmy Butler is still seeking his first NBA Finals victory.
After qualifying for the Eastern Conference Finals in three of the last four seasons, Jimmy Butler is making his second trip to the NBA Finals this season and only has one goal on his mind: bringing home the Larry O’Brien. He’s so laser-focused, in fact, that he even refused to hold the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy, saying, “I’ll hold the next one”.
Averaging 28.5 points, 7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, it’s pretty ridiculous to think Jimmy will have to be even better if the Heat want to bring a championship parade to Miami. But when faced against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic who is arguably playing the best basketball of his life, there’s no more margin for error here.
Untainted by media narratives, this looks to be an incredible series of authentic basketball we’ve got on our hands here. If you want to follow along with the action, here’s how to tune in.
NBA Finals schedule: Full dates and times for Heat vs. Nuggets
Here’s a look at the full 2023 NBA Finals schedule with dates, times, and locations for every game in the series.
- Game 1: Heat at Nuggets – Thursday, June 1, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 2: Heat at Nuggets – Sunday, June 4, 8:00 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 3: Nuggets at Heat – Wednesday, June 7, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 4: Nuggets at Heat – Friday, June 9, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 5 (if necessary): Heat at Nuggets – Monday, June 12, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 6 (if necessary): Nuggets at Heat – Thursday, June 15, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 7 (if necessary): Heat at Nuggets – Sunday, June 18, 8:00 p.m. ET (ABC)