Nuggets Michael Porter Jr. is NBA Finals X-Factor vs. Heat
Robert Zeglinski
May 31, 2023 10:34 am ET
Entering the 2023 NBA Finals tomorrow night between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, we probably know what to expect from most of the primary individual main characters.
Nikola Jokic, as the Western Conference Finals MVP, is likely to do whatever he wants on the court. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler will probably be a spiteful fourth-quarter closing machine.
But what about some of the lesser-known starting lineup players? What about someone like Michael Porter Jr? Hes one of the more gifted NBA offensive players in the league, and when he gets a rhythm, the 6-foot-10 forward seems unstoppable. Even for a No. 3 scoring option, his top-notch shooting stroke is something to behold.
While Porter Jr. is more of a finesse player, Miami, by definition as a small-ball team, would have no answer for an electric Porter Jr. And thats what makes him perhaps the most dangerous X-Factor/question mark of this NBA championship series.
Oddsmakers with DraftKings are staying relatively neutral on Porter Jr.s chances to make a significant impact in Game 1 in Denver on Thursday night. His over/under on his total points, assists, and rebounds are set at a customary 23.5 in line with his season averages. His over/under on three-pointers made is 2.5 for a 40.8 percent three-point shooter this postseason.
I understand why anyone wouldnt necessarily expect more from Porter Jr. Hes a tremendous talent but can be maddeningly inconsistent and sometimes even seems allergic to passing the ball. He probably hasnt lived up to his on-paper potential since being drafted in 2018.
But lets think of it this way.
If Porter Jr. gets comfortable on a night when Jokic or Jamal Murray might not have it, the Heat have no way to account for a shooting big like him. With Bam Adebayo presumably defending Jokic, the task of slowing Porter Jr. likely falls to someone like Kevin Love. An admirable defender at best; thats probably asking a lot out of the 34-year-old power forward.
Far be it from me to question Loves athleticism, but I dont see him successfully chasing Porter Jr. off the three-point line. (Never mind Cody Zeller. We dont even want to go there.)
I wouldnt count on Porter Jr. setting any rim on fire over the next two weeks. He doesnt have the appropriate rap sheet to state otherwise. Im just saying that hes the key cog on the outside looking in who could genuinely ruin the Heats dream of another NBA title.
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 2:34 pm