Ultimate Game 5 NBA Finals 2023 Analysis: Key Plays That Decided the Championship

2025-10-30 01:15

Looking back at that incredible Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals, I still get chills remembering how the championship was decided by a handful of crucial moments. As someone who's analyzed basketball for over a decade, I've never seen a finals game where the margin between victory and defeat was so razor-thin. The Denver Nuggets ultimately claimed their first championship with a 94-89 victory over the Miami Heat, but what fascinates me most is how this game mirrored the strategic depth we see in other sports - including that interesting parallel from volleyball where a 25-year-old libero trained for months with the national team pool despite limited tournament action, demonstrating how preparation often trumps immediate visibility in championship scenarios.

The fourth quarter was where legends were made, and I firmly believe Jamal Murray's performance under pressure was the single most impressive display of clutch shooting I've witnessed since Stephen Curry's prime. With 7:32 remaining and the Heat leading by 4, Murray orchestrated three consecutive possessions that completely shifted the game's momentum. His step-back three-pointer over Jimmy Butler at the 6:15 mark wasn't just a basket - it was a statement that Denver wouldn't be denied. What many casual viewers might have missed was how Murray's decision-making exploited Miami's defensive rotations, particularly targeting the weak-side help defense that had been so effective earlier in the series. Statistics show he scored or assisted on 18 of Denver's final 24 points, finishing with 28 points and 10 assists despite shooting just 40% from the field.

Nikola Jokić's quiet dominance throughout the game perfectly illustrates why traditional box scores sometimes fail to capture a player's true impact. While his 28 points and 16 rebounds look impressive, what truly decided this championship was his basketball IQ during those final minutes. I've always argued Jokić sees the game two possessions ahead of everyone else, and his decision to take only two shots in the final six minutes while facilitating the offense was a masterclass in understanding game context. His assist to Aaron Gordon for that crucial dunk with 3:21 remaining came from a spot on the floor where 95% of NBA players would have forced a shot. Meanwhile, Miami's offensive struggles highlighted their reliance on Butler's heroics - when he went 1-for-4 in the final four minutes, their championship hopes essentially evaporated.

Defensively, I was particularly impressed by Denver's adjustments to limit Miami's three-point shooting after the Heat had shot 48% from deep in their Game 2 victory. The Nuggets held Miami to just 25% from three-point range in Game 5, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's perimeter defense being absolutely instrumental. His steal with 1:33 remaining and Denver up by just two points was arguably the game's most important defensive play - the kind of moment that championship teams consistently produce. Having watched countless finals games throughout NBA history, I can confidently say that defensive stops in these high-pressure situations carry more weight than spectacular offensive plays.

The coaching chess match between Erik Spoelstra and Michael Malone provided fascinating subplots throughout, though I believe Malone's decision to stick with his starting unit for heavier minutes ultimately paid greater dividends. Denver's core five players logged an average of 38 minutes compared to Miami's 34, and that continuity during crunch time made the critical difference. Both coaches made brilliant adjustments throughout the series, but Malone's trust in his primary rotation reminded me of how Gregg Popovich managed his Spurs teams during their championship runs - sometimes the best move is sticking with what got you there rather than overthinking in the moment.

Reflecting on this classic matchup months later, what stands out is how championship legacies are built on these razor-thin margins. The Nuggets executed when it mattered most, converting 12 of their final 14 possessions into points while Miami managed just 6 points over their last 9 trips down the floor. That closing ability separates good teams from historic ones, and Denver's performance cemented their place among the most resilient champions I've seen in recent memory. The parallel to that volleyball libero's situation strikes me - sometimes the most valuable contributions come from those who've prepared relentlessly behind the scenes, ready for their moment when championship glory hangs in the balance.