The Miami Heat played for 48 minutes, OKC did not. That was the deciding factor in Miami's 100-96 game 2 victory over Oklahoma City. The Heat started the game with an impressive 20-5 run, (Their biggest lead of the game was 17.) OKC trailed all game, they closest they were was down two with 12 seconds remaining in the game, but couldn't capitalize.
Lebron James had 32 points (10-22 FG) , 12-12 Free Throws, 8 rebounds & 6 assists, he only had 6 points in the 4th quarter, but they couldn't be bigger. Lebron's basket with 1:26 to put the Heat up 5 (96-91) was the most important shot all night, (YES. he was clutch) also went 4-4 from the free throw line in the quarter.
Dwyane Wade bounced back from an erratic game 1, he finished with 24 points (10-20 FG), 6 rebounds & 5 assists. Chris Bosh, who returned to the starting lineup after 4 games off the bench, was excellent controlling the boards and timely shots, finished with 16 points (6-13 FG) & 15 rebounds (7 offensive) . Shane Battier scored in double figures once again, he had 17 big points, including 5 three pointers (1 of those three pointers was a banked shot, timely shot when OKC was making a good run)
Oklahoma City played really good during the last three quarters of the game, they won the 3rd and 4th quarters, ended up tied with Miami in the 2nd, however, they dug themselves to big of a hole, being down 20-5 after the first 6 minutes of the first quarter. They spent all game trying to play catch up and it just wasn't enough. OKC never quit, after being down 15 in the first quarter, 12 in the 2nd, 11 in the third, they had the opportunity to win the game in the 4th.
In a controversial call, Kevin Durant (32 points (12-22 FG) took a shot with 9 seconds left which would have tied the game, he missed, but it was a questionable call since Lebron James fouled him and it wasn't called. Durant (Who was bothered with foul trouble all night) had 26 points in the 2nd half, 16 of those came in the 4th quarter.
James Harden, like Dwyane Wade did for Miami, also bounced back. Harden had just 5 points in game 1, he had 21 points (7-11 FG) , he scored 10 of OKC 15 first quarter points and had 17 by halftime. Russell Westbrook scored 27 points (10-26 FG), but started slow for the 2nd straight game. Westbrook shot 1-7 in the first quarter and went 10-19 in the last three.
Miami absolutely did what they had to do, they stole one game in Oklahoma. Now they have three home games coming up and they are hoping to do what the 2004 Detroit Pistons and they did in 2006, winning all three home games. If they do that, the King will finally have his coveted ring.
Oklahoma is in new territory right now, they just lost their first home game off the entire playoffs and now are headed to Miami with the series tied 1-1. OKC needs to play better if they want to win the series, they can't be down 15 points in the first quarter and expect to overcome all that and defeat a good team like the Heat. If they play the whole game how they did for the last 36 minutes, they will have a shot of winning this.
Photo Credit: Jeff Roberson (Getty Images)
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