LeBron James scores 34 points as Miami Heat defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 98-93: NBA Recap
On Wednesday night at the American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL, two of NBA`s top teams collided against each other for the second time in 11 days. LeBron James had a game high of 34 points as he came out of the matchup between the
two strongest contenders in the MVP race, a clear winner.
Kevin Durant also had a good night with 30 points but it wasn’t enough in the end as Miami have now won 17 straight at home.
OKC out-rebounded Miami 41-33 on the night, with 12 of those coming on the offensive glass, had 5 more fast break points then the Heat and had 8 more points in the paint, but on the down part OKC also committed 5 more turnovers
than Miami.
Coming into the night, there was no telling who was going to win this one. The game was a close e from the start as both teams traded basket throughout the first quarter with OKC holding only a minor advantage at the end of the
first 12 minutes, 23-21.
The second quarter had momentum swings with OKC first taking the lead and Miami running back to close the half one point ahead of the visitors 50-49. The early advantage the Thunder had was the their highest lead on the night of
11 points but it was all given away when two Thunder players (Perkins and Westbrook) were charged with two flagrant fouls on Miami`s two stars, Wade and LeBron. This ignited the Heat as they made a successful comeback into the game at the halfway stage.
Heat controlled the momentum of the game in the second half starting the third period on a 5-0 run as they managed to hold the Thunder off for most parts. Oklahoma City managed to come back to within 1, midway during the period,
but Miami were able hang tough in the lead. James was leading the Miami cause with 28 points after three quarters; Kevin Durant on the other hand had 21 points.
Oklahoma, stirred things up in the fourth quarter, as they started off with an 8-0 run to take a 1 point lead within 3 minutes. From that moment on, the contest heated up till the end of the game. With both teams trading baskets,
OKC were down by one point with 2:34 remaining in the game. The scores remained the same till the 1:02 mark when Chris Bosh made a jumper to give a Miami a 3 point edge, 96-93.
In the last 20 seconds of the game, OKC Coach Scott Brooks took a time out to set things up as they attempted to level the scores. LeBron James had guarded Durant for most part of the game and with the last few seconds remaining,
the matchup between the two got intense. Durant is known for making many clutch shots, while on the other hand, James is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. With 16.7 seconds remaining in the game, Durant was rushed into taking a three pointer
by James, which he missed as Miami grabbed the rebound. Westbrook instantly committed his fourth personal on Wade.
Dwyane Wade who had missed the previous game with knee injury, managed 19 points on the night, with two of those coming as he successfully made two free throws to help Miami silence the Thunder beat. Westbrook also had 28 points
on the night.
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