2023 NBA Finals, Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat preview: Schedule & how to watch live

The 2023 NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals are shaping up to be one for the ages. In the blue corner sit the Western Conference No.1 seed Denver Nuggets, who are fighting for a first NBA title in the 56-year history of the franchise. In the red corner are the Miami Heat; a team who only made it to the playoffs courtesy of the Play-In tournament, who now find themselves on the verge of two improbable records: becoming the first No.8 seed team and first Play-In team to win the NBA title.

Here are the key things you need to know about the upcoming NBA Finals.

2023 NBA Finals: Nuggets vs Heat

The Finals matchup between Denver and Miami is a first in NBA history, and both teams had to come through a brutal gauntlet of challengers to make it to this stage.

While the scoreboard of Denver's journey to the Finals (4-1 over Minnesota, 4-2 over Phoenix, and sweeping the Lakers) would indicate otherwise, keep in mind that the Nuggets still had to overcome the superstar firepower of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in round two, then LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the Western Conference Finals. Thankfully for Denver and its fans, they could rely on one of the best basketball players in the world to carry them through to the Finals in Nikola Jokic.

The two-time MVP and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist has upped his game to otherwordly levels during this postseason, posting monster averages of 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game. The Joker's full complement of outrageous shot-making and stunning passes has been on display throughout the playoffs, with the Serbian's signature high-arching, one-foot fadeaway jump shot (using the term 'jump' is being generous here) making numerous appearances.

If the Heat want to have any chance of winning their fourth title, stopping Jokic - who has passed Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles by a center in NBA playoff history - will be crucial.

While the Nuggets have been able to rest and prepare for the Finals since 24 May (courtesy of sweeping the Lakers), the Heat just emerged from what must have been an energy-draining seven-game series with the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

After jumping out to a 3-0 series lead, it seemed like an inevitably that Miami would return to the Finals for the first time since 2020 (where they lost to the Lakers in six games). However, the Celtics would storm back to even the series, leading to a deciding Game 7 in Boston on Monday (29 May) evening. Despite throwing away a 3-0 series lead, Jimmy Butler was adamant the Heat would win at TD Garden.

Butler was true to his word, pouring in 28 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in 43 minutes of action. Butler was rewarded with the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award for his efforts (Nikola Jokic earned the award in the West), which, in truth, could be recognition of his stellar play throughout the entire playoffs (29.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists), and not just the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Heat must now travel to the mile-high city of Denver as underdogs. After all, Miami has played 20 games this postseason, compared with only 15 for the Nuggets. Even so, Denver would do well to respect this battle-hardened team, who have proven that no foe is too daunting when it comes to NBA playoff basketball.

What is the NBA Finals format in the playoffs?

Each matchup in the best-of-seven NBA Finals follows the 2–2–1–1–1 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage (the higher seed of the two teams) hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while their opponent hosts Games 3, 4, and 6, with Games 5, 6 and 7 being played if needed. The first team to four wins has clinched the title.

What is the 2023 NBA Finals schedule?

Denver Nuggets (1) vs Miami Heat (8)

• Game 1: Nuggets vs. Heat | Thurs., June 1 | 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 2: Nuggets vs. Heat | Sun., June 4 | 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 3: Heat vs. Nuggets | Wed., June 7 | 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 4: Heat vs. Nuggets | Fri., June 9 | 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
• Game 5: Nuggets vs. Heat | Mon., June 12 | 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) *
• Game 6: Heat vs. Nuggets | Thurs., June 15 | 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) *
• Game 7: Nuggets vs. Heat | Sun., June 18 | 8 p.m. ET (ABC) *

* if necessary.

How to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs live

Viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch the 2023 NBA playoffs on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.

International viewers can catch the action through local broadcasters, or the NBA League Pass app, available on mobile, PC, and smart TVs.