Tonight, the 2023 NBA Finals tips off between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, and while oddsmakers project a lopsided series, these playoffs have shown us that nothing can be taken for granted.

The top-seeded Nuggets enter the series as huge favorites: led by the consensus best player in the world and 2x MVP Nikola Jokic along with a supporting cast perfectly catered to his skillset, Denver has just three losses this postseason and appears on a collision course with their first NBA title in franchise history.

However, if there’s anything Miami has shown us so far, it’s that they can’t be counted out no matter what. Having already knocked out the top two teams in the NBA by regular season record en route to becoming the second ever 8th seed to reach the NBA Finals. Jimmy Butler has led yet another underdog Heat side to the NBA Finals, and this time his sights are set on redemption.

Denver holds a massive advantage on paper, and any logic-based prediction would have them winning this series in four or five games. However, logic and numbers can’t account for heart. Jimmy Butler is as driven a star we’ve ever seen, and with a supporting cast of players such as Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent who are getting hot at the right time, I’m taking Miami as your 2023 champions in 7 games.

My All-Time NBA Finals Predictions (one check for correct pick, 2 checks for correct score):

Warriors 4-2 Cavs ✅✅

Cavs 4-3 Warriors ✅✅

Warriors 4-1 Cavs ✅✅

Warriors 4-0 Cavs ✅✅

Warriors 4-2 Raptors ❌✅

Lakers 4-2 Heat ✅✅

Suns 4-2 Bucks ❌✅

Warriors 4-2 Celtics ✅✅

Heat 4-3 Nuggets