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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
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Jelani Scott

Draymond Green Makes Confident, Colorful NBA Finals Prediction

Draymond Green served up his latest hot take on the newest episode of his podcast this week as the Warriors star made his prediction for the 2023 NBA finals.

Slated for an 8:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday, this year’s NBA Finals will feature a battle between the Nuggets and star center Nikola Jokić, against the Heat and star guard Jimmy Butler. The meeting will mark the second time a No. 8 seed (Miami) will appear in the Finals, as well as the first Finals appearance for top-seeded Denver.

In his breakdown of the series, Green explained the Nuggets’ ability to close out their previous series as the “one key thing” that the four-time NBA champion believes will make all the difference in the long run. Denver earned a Finals berth after going 12–3 through their first three series, including a sweep over the Lakers in the West finals.

“They have not f------ around any of their series.” Green said. “They’ve had opportunities to close, they close. They’re getting it done, they’re ready to win a championship.”

As for his series prediction, Green kept it short and simple, telling his viewers, “I got the Nuggets in five.” 

In addition to having the best chance to win, Denver also has, according to Green, the “the best player in the series” in Jokić, who he said is “on some all-time great type stuff right now.” The two-time MVP enters the Finals in the midst of a historic postseason run, which included an epic four-game run against L.A. that helped him break the single-season playoff record for triple-doubles.

Needless to say, Green, like many NBA fans, certainly seems amped to see Denver and Miami clash for the Larry O’Brien trophy. And, if the road to Thursday has been any indication, the series is sure to give Green and all of NBA Twitter plenty to talk about in the coming days.

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