If Game 1 was forshadowing anything it would be that Game 2 was going to be that much more insane. The Heat came out of the gate and didn’t look back holding the lead for the entire game. Just because they held the lead the entire game doesn’t mean the Thunder didn’t make it very interesing in the final minutes. Prior to all that though the Heat started the game on a tear while the Thunder were the complete opposite. For the second game in a row Shane Battier hit at least 4 three pointers, that and Dwyane Wade getting off to a quick start propelled the Heat to a 12 point lead at the half.
The second half wasn’t entirely like Game 1 where the Heat came out flat, but the Thunder came out on fire yet again. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook put the team on their back as the Thunder kept crawling closer and closer to taking the lead getting it all the way down to 2 points at one time. Truth be told when playing in OKC and the crowd is in to the game it seems like your playing a 5 on 6. Two highlights of the second half would be Kevin Durant dunking all over Shane Battier, and then late in the game when the Heat were so close to closing the game out, a late turnover resulting in a three by Kevin Durant put the game at 98-96 with 37 seconds left. LeBron James quickly fired an ill advised three which he missed giving the Thunder another chance. During a Durant drive to the hoop for the game tying bucket it seemed as if the refs missed a very big foul call that would’ve put Durant at the free throw line. The no call resulted in a miss, quick foul, and then two crucial made free throws by LeBron. With 6 seconds left Westbrook fired a three which didn’t connect as the game went final 100-96.
As controversial as the NBA can be sometimes the players can’t dwell on what should’ve been for long, as Game 3 will be Sunday at 8:00 PM ET down in Miami. The adjustments for Miami seemed to work in Game 2, now it is on OKC to make the right adjustments to get a win in Miami for Game 3. Also a reminder that the Finals goes 2-3-2, so the next three games will be in Miami. Check the stats from the key players below.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant – 32pts, 3 reb, 1 asts
Russell Westbrook – 27pts, 8reb, 7ast
James Harden – 21pts, 4reb, 2 ast
Miami Heat
LeBron James – 32pts, 8reb, 5 asts
Dwyane Wade – 24pts, 6reb, 5ast
Chris Bosh – 16pts, 15reb
-John McAuliffe (@John_Mac310)
