Showing posts with label dwyane wade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dwyane wade. Show all posts
Heat stun Bulls with 4th-quarter comeback to go to NBA Finals
Thursday, 26 May 2011
James scored 28 points, Wade added 21, and they led a furious rally in the final minutes as the Miami Heat eliminated Derrick Rose (FSY) and the Chicago Bulls 83-80 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday.
James and Wade were simply spectacular down the stretch, each scoring eight during a game-ending 18-3 run as Miami wiped out a 12-point deficit to win the series.
Now, the Heat are headed back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2006, and in a fitting twist, they'll be facing the Mavericks. Back then, with Wade leading the way, Miami beat Dallas to capture the championship. This time, it'll be James and Dirk Nowitzki (FSY) going for their first rings.
The Heat will host Game 1 on Tuesday night.
For Miami's Big Three, this was the plan right from the start. The Heat had their difficulties along the way, including a five-game losing streak in March, but look at them now.
They just knocked off the team that won more games than any other, that boasted the league's MVP in Rose and sent expectations soaring around Chicago in a way not seen since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were racking up championships.
Rose led Chicago with 25 points but hit just nine of 29 shots. He fouled Wade on a key four-point play and missed a tying free throw with 26.7 seconds left.
"At the end, it's all me," Rose said. "Turnovers, missed shots, fouls. The series is over."
James had 11 rebounds and six assists. Wade's late surge helped negate his nine turnovers. Bosh added 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat pulled out a dramatic win.
Miami Heat closes out Chicago Bulls, advances to NBA Finals
The Heat beat the Bulls 4-1 in the best-of-7 series with a wild comeback on Thursday that lifted Miami to its first NBA Finals since breaking Dallas’ hearts in six games in 2006. The Heat broke the hearts of thousands in Chicago on Thursday.
The United Center crowd was deflated with 25 seconds left when Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the youngest MVP in NBA history, missed the second of two free throws to tie the score at 81. The Heat trailed by nine with less than three minutes to play but rallied with an amazing 16-2 run that ended with a midrange jumper by LeBron James with 29.5 seconds left.
Heat forward Chris Bosh made a pair of free throws with 16.8 seconds left, and James blocked Rose’s desperation three-point attempt to tie the score at the buzzer. James and Haslem, who doubled-teamed Rose at the end of the game, immediately hugged after capping the unlikely finish.
Nuggets Vs. Thunder: Kevin Durant Goes Off, Order In Universe Restored
Friday, 29 April 2011
Finally, Kevin Durant got the ball in crunch time for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Denver Nuggets. The result? Pure, unadulterated basketball nirvana. Durant scored 14 points in the final three and a half minutes and 41 for the game as the Thunder rallied from a nine-point deficit to beat the Nuggets and end that series in five games.
In a way, it's a sign that Durant needs to make all the late-game decisions every single game for the Thunder. Those who scoffed at Russell Westbrook's rogue act in Game 4 undoubtedly have more ammunition to bash the Thunder point guard now. See! Look what happens when Durant gets the ball!
That's too easy for me, though. Honestly, I think Durant showed growth as a crunch-time performer on Wednesday. Part of the problem with Durant late in games is that he's become a little passive this season. Last year, when the starpower of Westbrook wasn't quite where it was now, Durant took it upon himself to demand the ball. This year, though, that hasn't happened. Durant has been stymied by aggressive, physical defense, and he's given up the ball too often at the slightest hint of pressure.
Wednesday night's performance was a true joy, then, because we didn't see any of those negative characteristics. Sure, Durant shot all jumpers, and eventually, he'll need to be better at getting to the rim. But every shot he hit was as a result of a forceful decision. He didn't wait for the Nuggets to set up their defense on him; he attacked them before they could. When he does that, he's unstoppable, given his size and shooting ability. When he doesn't? He makes himself mortal.
Going forward, Durant will need that switch to be on permanently when his team needs it to be. No more deferring to Westbrook. It's time for the Durantula to strike.
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