Finals: Not Over Yet

Time now to sit back, relax, and digest the NBA Finals.  Not quite yet.  The Miami Heat took a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Thunder by winning game four 104-98.  Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, who has been the topic of most debates amongst NBA fans, put on a show last night.  Westbrook scored 43 points on 20-32 shooting, but his 40 plus point night wasn't good enough.  Heat point guard Mario Chalmers stole Westbrook's show by dropping in 25 points of his own, by far the most productive game Chalmers has had all postseason. 

LeBron James had yet another big night.  James finished one rebound shy of a triple-double going for 26 points (14th consecutive 25 plus point playoff game), 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.  The real headline for James came late in the fourth quarter.  James was apparently suffering from leg cramps and had to be carried off the court by two of his teammates with under six minutes to go in regulation.  He would check back in following a time out and hit quite possibly one of the biggest shots of his career. 

Game four was tied 94-94 with just under three minutes to play.  James limping and the shot clock running out, pulls up at the top of the key and nails a three pointer over Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha, to take a 97-94 lead late.  LeBron's clutch three served as the go-ahead basket for a Heat win.  Miami would not relinquish their advantage and would end up closing out the Thunder on their own terms. 

You got a sense last night during game four that the Miami Heat want this championship in a bad way.  LeBron is 0-2 in the Finals and hears about it everyday.  His teammates, especially Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh want this title not only for themselves, but for LeBron as well.  OKC is new on the scene.  Kevin Durant is only 23 years old, so the urgency to win a title might not have fully set in for the young Thunder.

That doesn't mean they're done though.  Immediately after the buzzer sounded in game four, Heat guard Dwyane Wade  held up one finger, signifying to the Miami crowd that their Heat were one single win away from a second championship in franchise history.

The Heat seemed relieved and almost a little too laid back following their crucial game four win.  The loss could be a potential back-breaker for the Thunder, but they have been here before.

The Thunder were as good as dead down 2-0 to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals; the series prior to this one with the Heat.  OKC rallied and rattled off four straight wins to best the Spurs 4-2 and advance to the NBA Finals.  No one was giving the Thunder much of a chance after they dropped games one and two against the Spurs.  They didn't listen to their critics and instead responded like champions with their backs against the wall.

That being said, a game five win for the Heat, won't be so easy.  OKC is very dangerous at home and they knew coming into Miami for games three, four, and five that all they needed was one win to regain home court advantage.  They still have an opportunity to obtain that one win on Thursday night.

Video of LeBron's clutch three over Sefolosha in game four of the NBA Finals.  (via YouTube)