Heat move to brink of victory

THE Miami Heat opened up a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA finals with a 102-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Florida.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012
LeBron James and teammates embrace after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the NBA Finals. Net photo.

THE Miami Heat opened up a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA finals with a 102-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Florida.LeBron James top-scored for the home side with 26 points and Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers scored 25 each.The Thunder’s score was built around a stunning 43 points from Russell Westbrook, though the guard’s foolish late personal foul handed Chalmers the chance to see his side home from the free-throw line. Kevin Durant added 28 points.Oklahoma dominated the first quarter, opening up a 33-19 lead, but Miami roared back in the second to go into the half-time break only three points in arrears at 49-46.Wade scored four points to put the Heat ahead at 50-49 four minutes into the third quarter and from 60-60 they pulled away into a lead which peaked at seven points.Leading 92-90, they had a scare when key man James limped off with cramp and the Thunder regained the lead for the first time in over 18 minutes at 94-92, but James’ return then heralded a 7-0 run for his side.Westbrook cut the gap to three but an underarm lay-up by Chalmers took his side into three figures, and into a two-possession lead with 44.6 seconds remaining.The Heat have their first chance to clinch the series on Thursday night in game five.