NBA Finals Includes the Heat

James scored a game-high 35 points, and instead of challenging three defenders on a drive to the hoop, he shuffled a pass to a wide-open Chris Bosh for a corner 3-pointer with 1:18 left, and the Heat held on for a 98-96 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

After missing the final 3:59 of Miami’s Game 1 loss with leg cramps in the searing heat of an un-air-conditioned arena, James played a team-high 37:36, including the final 9:22 when perhaps the Heat’s season was at stake.

“Just play the game, try to play the game the right way.

James scored 33 of his points in the final three quarters on 13-for-18 shooting, but San Antonio had plenty of chances to eke out a victory.

James’s response after a disappointing exit Thursday was not surprising considering the Heat had not lost consecutive playoff games since 2011.

He carried the Heat in stretches in the second and third quarters, but in the key moment of the game, he played distributor with the pass to Bosh.

James made the identical play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers in the final minute, but Bosh missed the 3-pointer and James was criticized for not attacking the basket.

“He’s the most unselfish player I’ve ever played with, and especially with the talent that he has playing the game, the way he plays the game.

After he scored 27 points in 27 minutes, James headed to the bench for the final three minutes of the third quarter.

James admitted before the game he still wasn’t 100 percent after cramping profusely in Game 1, but he returned to form after struggling a bit in the first quarter.