Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (2) of Switzerland and small forward Kevin Durant defend during the second half at Game 2 of the NBA finals basketball series, Thursday, June 14, 2012, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Jim Young)
The Miami Heat finally rediscovered the formula to winning in the NBA Finals — barely.
James scored 32 points, Wade rebounded from a poor opener with 24 and the Heat built a huge early lead before holding off a furious fourth-quarter rally behind their three All-Stars to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 100-96 on Thursday night to tie the series at one game apiece.
Bosh had 16 points and 15 rebounds in his return to the starting lineup for the Heat, who snapped a four-game finals losing streak with their first victory since Game 3 against Dallas last year.
Now they go home to host Game 3 on Sunday and the next two after that, knowing they don't have to hear the noisy Thunder fans again — not to mention all their critics — if they win all three.
Kevin Durant scored 32 points for the Thunder, but missed a shot after appearing to be bumped with James that would have tied a game the Thunder trailed the entire way. Russell Westbrook finished with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but shot 10 of 25 from the field.
James Harden tried to keep the Thunder in it early and finished with 21 points, but this time the Thunder couldn't come back from a double-digit deficit after spotting Miami a 17-point advantage during their worst first half of the season.
It was the first home loss in 10 postseason games for the Thunder, who had overcome a 13-point deficit in Game 1.
This time, the Heat's Big Three just wouldn't allow them to get going.
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