MIAMI—
So who takes the final shot?
It’s not an issue when there is a need for more than one.
So LeBron James stepped up with the 3-pointer that sent Saturday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers into overtime at AmericanAirlines Arena.
And Dwyane Wade then won it with a 19-foot jumper with one-tenth of a second to play in the extra period, as the Heat’s stars shared top billing in the 93-91 victory that extended the Heat’s home winning streak to 12.
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Wade led the Heat with 28 points, with James adding 27.
Star of the game? A tie.
Which is where the Heat found themselves when James’ 3-pointer left it 85-85 after regulation.
James then converted another 3-pointer in the extra period, before stepping aside for Wade’s ultimate heroics.
This time the Pacers thought they had the Heat, and they almost did, with the Heat never leading by more than three points.
Dropping the first two games of the four-game season series by 50 total points, the Pacers entered feisty.
“We’re a good team trying to be great,” coach Frank Vogel said. “You take a step in that direction when you beat the best teams.”
Mission nearly accomplished.
Nearly.
Until Wade stepped up after James stepped up.
Playing with a tenacity not seen in the teams’ previous two meetings, and fouling at such a high rate that the Heat were in the bonus within the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, the Pacers kept the scoring down and the tenacity up before falling short.
Despite the previous shaky showings, Vogel entered inspired.
“We know how good the Heat are and how well they are playing,” he said. “When we are at our best we can beat anybody.”
The Heat this time got the message. But the Pacers didn’t get the victory.
“Well, that was a tough, physical, Eastern Conference, old-school basketball game there,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They played well. That’s a very good basketball team.
