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.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.

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Heat move to brink of victory