Miami wins Game 4 to take control
June 20, 2012 19:01:04 UK
The Miami Heat are one win away from winning the NBA Championship after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-98 on Tuesday.
Game 5 of the series, again in Miami, is on Thursday with no guarantee that the Heat will win the Finals should they be forced back to Oklahoma City for the last two games of the series.
The three games at the AmericanAirlines Arena, after the two teams split at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, are Miami's best chance to defeat the more favored Thunder and LeBron James and company have taken full advantage.
Tuesday James had a team-high 26 points, 12 assist and nine rebounds in a masterful performance to offset Russell Westbrook's 43 for the Thunder. Dwyane Wade added 25 points, as did Mario Chalmers in a crucial contribution from the point.
The Thunder were led by Westbrook who was an impressive 20-of-32 from the floor to lead all scorers.
Kevin Durant added 28, but once more James Harden did not make a contribution dropping in just eight points in 37 minutes of play.
With Chris Bosh starting and grabbing nine boards and 13 points the Finals have come down to a simple formula. Miami's Big 3 is outplaying the Thunder's Big 3 and unless that changes the Heat will be the new NBA Champions without the series returning to Oklahoma City.
The Heat are 1.60 to win Game 5 and seal the championship, with the Thunder 2.45 to keep the series alive.
Game 6, if needed, is Sunday back in Oklahoma, but a series that started so promisingly for the Thunder looks more and more like LeBron James' Championship party.
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