Miami, FL (Sports Network) - The poster boy for unrealized expectations
finally has his first championship. LeBron James had a triple-double of 26
points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds Thursday night, helping the Miami Heat
capture their second championship, beating Oklahoma City, 121-106, in Game 5
of the NBA Finals. James was named Finals MVP to no one's surprise. Chris Bosh
added 24 points and Dwyane Wade scored 20 as Miami won its fourth game in a
row. Mike Miller missed just one of his eight three-point shots and scored 23.
Kevin Durant poured in 32 points and had 11 rebounds to lead Oklahoma City.
James and the Heat overcame two years of pressure as the presumptive favorite
to win the title in a lockout-shortened season, using a defining 19-1 run in
the third quarter to all but put the game out of reach. After taking so much
criticism -- for "The Decision," for playing nearly a decade without winning a
championship despite being one of the most heralded talents in sports history
-- James played the role of hero in Game 4 despite battling cramps, and he
kept his foot on the pedal all the way through Game 5. But the Heat won as a
team Thursday more than any other time in the playoffs, hitting 14 3-pointers
to tie a Finals record.
The Sports Network