Heat outlast Thunder in thriller
Unlike last year, Miami shows no signs of letting this ring get away
The Miami Heat, playing their first game of the NBA Finals on home court, defeated Oklahoma City Thunder 91- 85 to take a 2- 1 lead in the best- of- seven championship series.
MIAMI — It’s there every day for LeBron James and the Heat — the sting of last year’s NBA Finals loss.
Two more wins and it will be a distant memory.
James had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and the Miami Heat took a 2- 1 lead in the NBA Finals with a 91- 85 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. Dwyane Wade had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Heat, who were in this same position through three games last year, then didn’t win again against the Dallas Mavericks.
“We carry that pain with us,” the Heat’s Chris Bosh said. “We think about it every day, and that really helps us to succeed in this series.”
James’ poor performance was part of the problem then, but he seems on top of his game this time. His 3- pointer sent the Heat to the fourth quarter with the lead, and he scored five straight Miami points when the Heat were building just enough cushion to hold off another late flurry by the Thunder.
“Just trying to make plays,” James said. “I told you guys, last year I didn’t make enough game- changing plays, and that’s what I kind of pride myself on. I didn’t do that last year in the finals. I’m just trying to make game- changing plays, and whatever it takes for our team to win, just trying to step up in key moments and be there for my teammates.” Game 4 is Tuesday night. Kevin Durant had 25 points for the Thunder, but picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and had to go to the bench when they had seemed to have control of the game.
“It was frustrating,” Durant said. “Of course, we had a good lead and they came back and made some shots. We fouled shooters on the 3- point line twice. It’s a tough break for us, man. You know, I hate sitting on the bench, especially with fouls.”
The Heat survived their own fourth- quarter sloppiness — nine turnovers — by getting enough big plays from their Big Three.
James scored 30 and 32 points in the first two games, his two best finals performances. He fell just shy of another 30- point effort but reached his 20 points for the 20th time this post- season, two shy of Wade’s franchise record set in 2006.
Gone is the player who seemed so tentative down the stretch last year in his second finals failure. He’s constantly on the attack now, all while defending Durant in key situations.
“He was great. He’s been great for us all playoffs,” Heat forward Udonis Haslem said. “I don’t know if he looks up at the clock or score sheet, but he knows when we need him to make big plays and come through for us, and he comes through.”
Bosh had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, who can win a second title by winning the next two games at home. That’s what they did in 2006, one of just two home teams to sweep the middle three games in the 2- 3- 2 format.
They seemed out of it when Oklahoma City opened a 10- point lead midway through the third. But then Durant picked up his fourth foul with 5: 41 left on Wade’s baseline drive, though there appeared to be little or no contact. Thunder coach Scott Brooks decided to sit Russell Westbrook with him, and the Heat charged into the lead by the end of the period.
Westbrook looked angry going to the bench, but denied any frustration afterward.
“Nah, man. I mean, coach’s decision,” Westbrook said. “Got to live with it.”
The Thunder grabbed their last lead at 77- 76 on James Harden’s basket with 7: 32 left. James answered with two free throws about 20 seconds later, and the teams would trade turnovers and stops over the next couple of tense minutes.
Wade then converted a threepoint play, and another minute went by before James powered to the basket, Durant trying to get in position to draw a charge but watching helplessly as he picked up his fifth foul. James made the free throw for an 84- 77 advantage with 3: 47 to play.
After another basket by James, the Thunder had one last burst, ripping off six straight points to get within one before Bosh made a pair of free throws with 1: 19 to play.