#6 - 2012 NBA Finals Game 2 - Oklahoma City Thunder (A)

#6 - 2012 NBA Finals Game 2 - Oklahoma City Thunder (A)

Miami Heat 100, Oklahoma City Thunder 96

The Thunder were many experts’ favourites in 2012. The Thunder seemed the more complete team. This was back when they still had James Harden, of course. It was also back when this Heat group had not yet won anything, LeBron had not yet performed in the finals, and the only thing they had demonstrated was that they could collapse on the biggest stage. The thunder had home court advantage, but the Heat got off to a hot start in game 1. The thunder would claw back strongly, however, and win game 1 without too much stress. In game 2, the Heat again rushed off to the quick start, and this time they were able to keep the surging Thunder at bay. This was a team performance, but they were led by LeBron, who seemed determine to quieten all his critics and erase the haunting memories of 2011. He attacked the rim, crashed the boards, and defended all 5 positions all series. When LeBron rose over Kevin Durant to hit a jumper to ice the game, he effectively ended the series. The Heat would “close the doors” to the arena and not let the Thunder return, winning all 3 home games to win the NBA championship. They would reveal that they carried this motif after the series was completed, but from the fist bumps, handshakes and head nods after they had done the job in game 2, you could tell in retrospect that even at the time they knew the significance of what they had accomplished. 

There were many times that could be identified as turning points when considered the direction the Big 3 legacy took. Game 6 in Boston, the previous series, sticks out as a personal turning point for LeBron. But this game may have been the bigger turning point for the team. They were 2-5 in finals games before it, and with it would go on to be 8-3 over the next two years. 

The reasons: 

The highlights:

• LeBron’s all around game
• Seeing two MVPs and all time greats, LeBron + Durant, go head to head
• Wade turned in two solid performances on the road after struggling in the previous series, chipping in with timely steals and buckets.

• Shane battier hitting 3’s in both road games to help get the Heat off to hot starts, not something the team was known for. Battier hit big shot after big shot in this one. He was the Heat’s key role player throughout, until Mike Miller stole the show in game 5. Battier would get his moment in the game 7 closer in 2013. 
• LeBron’s clutch banker with 1.30 to go, and Bosh’s dunk off a Wade drive and dish with under a minute to go.  

• The infamous LeBron defense of Durant’s final shot. Some labelled it genius, correctly straddling the fine line between legal and illegal contact, doing just enough to ensure the miss while not drawing the call. Underrated in the play, LeBron’s rebound was crucial.