LeBron James levels it for Miami
LeBron James scores 12 of his 22 points in the final quarter to as the Heat level playoff series against the Pacers.
Dormant most of the night, LeBron James sprung to life in the final quarter scoring 12 of his 22 points, while Dwyane Wade dropped 10 of his team high 23 to lift the Heat to a battling 87-83 victory over the Pacers and even the Eastern Conference final at a game apiece.
Imposing their will on the contest, James and Wade combined for 22 points in the final quarter, including Miami’s final 20 points over the last 7:51 of the game.
“That’s what it is about, it isn’t going to be pretty,” said James. “It’s never pretty basketball in the Eastern conference, it’s about who can sustain runs.
“Who can get the defensive stops, who cannot turn the ball over and who can get great shots and I think we did that in the fourth. I needed to do something in fourth…I needed to make a few buckets in the fourth quarter and was able to come through for us.
“We’re never satisfied until we close out a series so have a lot of work to do.”
The best-of-seven series now shifts to South Beach for Game Three on Saturday, giving the Pacers plenty of time to ponder a missed opportunity.