Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat 94-89 to clinch first-ever NBA title ...

Nikola Jokić guided Denver to its first NBA title in team history, as the Nuggets overcame dreadful shooting and a late flurry from Miami's Jimmy Butler to squeeze past the Heat for a frantic 94-89 victory in Game Five.

The Nuggets had dominated the series, and had the chance to win the title in front of their home crowd in Denver.

The Heat started strongly, and led by two at quarter-time and by seven — 51-44 — at the main break.

However, with the benefit of home support, the Nuggets came back in the second half, a big third quarter leaving the scores 71-70 with one period to go.

Denver hit the front, and looked set to win, but Miami fought to stay in, and briefly headed the home side again in the final minutes.

But Denver steadied and Miami could not hit enough shots at the end. One last three-point shot fell short, and the Nuggets ran the clock out to set off huge celebrations in the arena.

Jokić had 28 points and 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, who missed 20 of their first 22 three-point attempts and seven of their first 13 free throws, but figured out how to close out the series on their home floor.

Butler scored eight straight points to help the Heat take an 87-86 lead with 2:45 left after trailing by seven.

He made two more free throws with 1:58 remaining to help Miami regain a one-point lead. Then, Bruce Brown got an offensive rebound and tip-in to give the Nuggets the lead for good.

Trailing by three with 15 seconds left, Butler jacked up a three-pointer, but missed it. Brown made two free throws to put the game out of reach and clinch the title for Denver.

Butler finished with 21 points.

This was an ugly, frenetic affair, but the aftermath was something the Nuggets and their fans could all agree was beautiful. Denver is the home of the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time in the franchise's 47 years in the league.

"It was and ugly and we couldn't make shots, but at the end we figured it out," said Jokić, who was named Finals MVP.

"I am just happy we won the game."

The Heat were, as coach Erik Spoelstra promised, a gritty, tenacious bunch. But their shooting wasn't great, either.

Bam Adebayo had 20 for the Heat, but Miami shot 34 per cent from the floor and 25 per cent from three-point territory. 

AP/ABC