By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

Updated


MIAMI – Forward Shane Battier made three-pointers and guard Mario Chalmers converted a clever reserve layup for the Miami Heat.

  • Steve Mitchell, US PRESSWIRE
    Heat forward LeBron James, right, led Miami to victory in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with 29 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.

Steve Mitchell, US PRESSWIRE
Heat forward LeBron James, right, led Miami to victory in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with 29 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.



Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden, still not scoring like the Sixth Man of the Year, got to the free throw line, and guard Derek Fisher had his typical game.
But Game 3 of the NBA Finals came down to the four best, most scrutinized players on the floor. And Heat forward LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade made the better combo, outdoing Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Miami's win Sunday.


The Heat took a 2-1 series lead, helped by hitting 31 of 35 free throws to 15 of 24 for the Thunder.
How huge is Game 3 in the Finals? The victor has won the championship 85.3% of the time — and the Heat also get the next two games at home. Game 4 is Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, ABC).
"This is competition at its highest," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "We had to find a way to grind a win."
This was another game not decided until the final minutes. Wade is still off some with his shot but had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and James had 29 points (eight in the fourth quarter) and 14 rebounds.
Wade and James scored 13 of Miami's last 15 points.
"It's all about chemistry," James said. "It's good to see us execute down the stretch, but more importantly, to get stops."
It was just enough to top the Thunder and 25 points from Durant, who again played with foul trouble, and 19 from Westbrook. Durant, who had big fourth quarters the first two games, got only four points this time on 2-for-6 shooting with two turnovers and two missed free throws.
"We put ourselves in position to win," Durant said. "That's what it's about. It's not over. Got to be ready for the next game."
James credited the help defense of teammate Chris Bosh for Miami's ability to limit Durant in the fourth. Bosh scored 10 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks in his second game in the starting lineup since a back injury which has limited him in the playoffs.
"I just tried to keep my body on him in the fourth quarter," James said of Durant. "He was able to miss a few, Chris (Bosh) was able to block a few, and that's what our defense is all about, helping each other."
Durant lamented Oklahoma City's uncharacteristic struggles from the free throw line. The Thunder shot 62.5% from the stripe in Game 3 compared to 81% during the regular season. "Got to be focused, disciplined, knock them down," Durant said.
Miami struggled with its outside shooting, but had enough firepower in the lane. Wade's three-point play gave the Heat an 81-77 lead with 4:51 left and James' driving dunk shot and free throw made it 84-77 with 3:47 to go.
"It wasn't pretty all the way through," said Spoesltra. "But here in Miami we like these wins, because they are gritty, speak a lot to the team's character."

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