An impressive fourth quarter comeback by the Miami Heat in the waning minutes of Game Five led them one step closer to all they were, perhaps prematurely, celebrating in the fall: an NBA title in their first year together. With an 83-80 victory over Chicago Thursday night, the Heat are headed to the NBA Finals.
Chicago led the entire game…until they didn’t. In the end Miami’s big three cranked it up a notch and hit some huge shots down the stretch to erase the deficit, and close out Game Five on an impressive 18-3 run.
Chicago controlled this game with tough defense throughout, Rose led Chicago with 25 points (on nine for twenty-eight shooting, however), Deng went for 18, and Ronnie Brewer helped out with 10. But defense won’t win you games alone in the NBA, and the Bulls found that out the hard way in these Eastern Conference Finals.
Miami was led by Lebron James, who scored 28 points to go along with 11 rebounds and six assists. Chris Bosh added 20 points, and Dwyane Wade had 21 in the victory.
But the story of this game is the fourth quarter — a quarter that saw the Heat outscore the Bulls 26-18, ignited first by a clutch three-pointer with the foul for Wade, and then a transition three-pointer for James to tie it up. That was followed by an isolation step-back jumper by James to put the Heat up for good.
No doubt those who had criticized the Heat all season for their lack of late game efficiency were silenced in this series, as game after game, the Heat found a way to win.
The Miami Heat will face Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals for a shot at the title.
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