NBA Finals Miami Takes Game Two Evens Series

The Miami Heat took a big early lead, then held off a furious late charge to beat Oklahoma City, 100-96 in Game Two of the NBA Finals. The series is now tied at one game and heads to Miami for Sunday's Game Three.

Miami was red-hot in the first quarter, opening up a 18-2 lead before the Thunder even had a chance to remove their warm-ups, and with Kevin Durant in early foul trouble, the Heat seemed poised for a blowout. But James Harden came off the bench to get OKC back on track; by halftime, the Thunder had cut the lead to 12.

The Heat maintained a near double-digit edge for much of the third quarter, but the Thunder - as is becoming their trademark - staged a late rally and were within a basket in the final seconds. But Durant missed an eight-footer, James hauled in the rebound and was fouled by Russell Westbrook with 7. 1 seconds remaining. He sank both free throws to give Miami a four-point lead and the final margin of victory.

Erik Spoelstra put Chris Bosh back in his starting lineup, and the big man responded with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Dwyane Wade bounced back nicely from a rough outing in Game One, scoring 24 points on 10-20 shooting. James had a team-high 32. Durant matched James' point total, despite the fact that he had just six free-throw attempts - about half his usual number.

Thunder fans will complain that OKC was the victim of some questionable calls, and without making this a rant about the referees, they have a legitimate beef. Durant was fouled by James on that final shot, but while James' contact was fairly obvious to the baseline cameras, the officials may have been screened and unable to see the infraction. The zebras also blew a goaltending call that blunted an earlier Thunder rally. Kevin Durant partially blocked a shot, then Ibaka soared in to slap the ball off the backboard. But the officials missed Durant's contact with the ball and called Ibaka for a goaltend, giving Miami the basket.

Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks may want to consider a lineup adjustment for Game Three. On paper, OKC has a significant advantage in the frontcourt with Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins to protect the basket. But Miami's small lineup has been successful at either pulling Ibaka out to the perimeter to guard a stretch four or getting wide-open three-point attempts for Shane Battier (17 points, 5-7 from three). The Thunder have had a lot more success playing smaller lineups with either Ibaka or Nick Collison in the middle; we may see more of that alignment on Sunday.

• NBA Finals: Recaps, Results and Schedule
• Game Two Box Score

Image: Russell Westbrook fouls LeBron James in the closing seconds of Game Two. James would hit two free throws giving Miami a four-point lead and the final margin of victory. Getty Images / Ronald Martinez