It was clearly not his best game of these playoffs, but Nikola Jokic still hurt the Heat very badly in this fifth inning won 94-89 to clinch the first NBA title in Nuggets history. First there were stray bullets and for half time we saw a very small Jokic. Blame it on a Miami defense well in place to cut the passing lines, and prevent it from shining on the Nuggets’ game.
And then, on returning from the locker room, Mike Malone asks his players to serve the Serb as much as possible. In a one-on-one position, he pushes Bam Adebayo to the circle, and it’s even easier on the zone or the “mismatches” when he has to attack Caleb Martin or Kyle Lowry. Nikola Jokic begins his undermining work, and in his wake, Denver catches up, picks up the score, and even passes in front.
75% on shots in such a tough game
On the other side of the field, Nikola Jokic confirms his “bullying” side. Very close to the circle, he prevents Bam Adebayo or the exteriors of the Heat from approaching. In front of his big arms, Erik Spoelstra’s players are forced to change their way of shooting, and between the end of the 3rd quarter and the start of the 4th, it’s a festival of clumsiness. We will also remember his deviated balloons, and this time, without the feet…
A clumsiness that Nikola Jokic does not know, with remarkable accuracy with his 12 out of 16 on shots. There are no easy shots and several times he complains to the referees about being hung up. But he continues to score, to finish with 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists.
Yet another full match, which allows him to win, unanimously, the Bill Russell trophy for MVP of the Finals!
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| Total | 596 | 31 | 55.3 | 34.8 | 82.9 | 2.6 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 6.6 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 20.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
