NBA Finals Game 5 Open Thread

The game is probably up for the overmatched Heat. But anyone who counts them out is asking for trouble. Still, the fact is that the vaunted Heat role players have been nonexistent in the finals, leaving pretty much everything up to Butler and Adebayo. Tyler Herro might be back tonight, but who knows how effective he will be.

Meanwhile, it’s worth thinking about the Nuggets’ future. Jokic is amazing, no question the best player in the game. Murray is still kinda up and down, but he’s a great finals no question. But the thing about the Nuggets is that they don’t really have that third wheel you can really count on. That should be Michael Porter Jr., but it really isn’t except on fairly rare occasions. Last game it was Aaron Gordon and he had a really great game. But for me, this team could well be a dynasty that wins three titles over the next five years. But it really does need that reliable third wheel. I grant you that Christian Braun certainly has potential to grow into that, though he had all of 1 point in Game 4. But I do wonder what moves Denver makes the strengthen the core next year. Just a little bit. But you need that little bit.

Anyway, I’m definitely picking Denver tonight, but it wouldn’t shock me if Miami won this whole series.