The Heat beats OKC putting them in a 3-1 advantage
Game 4 of the NBA Finals finished off with Heat holding off OKC 104-98. The Heat lead with a 3-1 advantage over OKC.
Within the last few minutes of the fourth quarter Lebron James was taken off the court due to leg cramping. James was sitting uneasily as he watched the Heat tough it out in a tight fourth quarter only to be put back in. James dropped a three leading the Heat in a victory over OKC.
James was seen grimacing on the sidelines while his leg was being worked on. According to teammate Dwayne Wade, “He was hurting…But that’s what it’s about this time of the year. It would hurt more if we lose the ballgame, so it feels a little better if you can win it.”
Though James made it clear that he will not be sitting out for Game 5, “Of course it’s there to thing about…I’ll be ready for Game 5.”
James ended Game 4 with 26 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
Russell Westbrook, OKC point guard, was one of the main assists to OKC. The Heat had trouble holding off Westbrook. Westbrook was doing really well in the game until within the last minute of the fourth quarter when he, unnecessarily, fouled Mario Chalmers putting the Heat in a further lead.
Westbrook scored 43 points but wasted a 17-point lead. Kevin Durant put OKC back on the map scoring 28 points; unfortunately both Dwayne Wade and Chalmers had 25 points apiece, offsetting Durant.
“Shots were falling,” said Westbrook, who was 20 of 32. “It really doesn’t mean nothing. We didn’t come out with the win.”
It’s hard to believe towards the end of the second half that the Heat was trailing behind 17 points in the first quarter. The last quarter, exciting towards the last few minutes, mainly consisted of turn-overs and struggles on both teams—until James re-entered the game, which was followed by a roar of applause by Heat fans—to take the lead.
Game 5 will be on Thursday, a chance for the Heat to close it out in Miami.
