SEESAW BATTLE
The first six games were a seesawing battle with the teams alternating wins and losses. If that pattern continues in Game Seven, San Antonio will be crowned champions but history favours Miami, who have the homecourt advantage.
Of the 17 previous NBA Finals that have gone seven games, the visiting team has won three times. The most recent was 35 years ago when the Washington Bullets upset the SuperSonics in Seattle.
"I don't really care what it's been like for anybody else at any time," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich growled. "All I know is we have had a hell of a year, and we have an opportunity to win a championship tomorrow night. That's all that matters."
The series was elevated to one of the all-time greats after Tuesday's breathless encounter, which has been described as one of the greatest games in NBA history after Miami pulled off a miracle comeback.
Needing a win the keep the series alive, Miami trailed by 13 points late in the third quarter and by five with 28 seconds to play in regulation after they had already fought back to take the lead.
Ray Allen, the sport's greatest three-point shooter, drained one from behind the arc with five seconds remaining to force overtime, where Miami went on to snatch a 103-100 victory.
James scored a game-high 32 points but no one is under more pressure than him in Game Seven. He is not only playing for a second championship but his place in history.
Despite being awarded the NBA's Most Valuable Player award four times, including this season, the 28-year-old continues to earn unflattering comparisons to Michael Jordan, who won five MVP awards and six championships with the Chicago Bulls.
James is appearing in just his fourth Finals. He lost his first with Cleveland then his second after moving to Miami three years ago.
He broke through for his first win last season but knows only too well he will bear the brunt of the blame should Miami fail to repeat.
"It is what it is. I understand the moment for me," said James.
"I'm going to be excited. I'm going to have some butterflies. I'll be nervous, everything. That's how I should be."