The Miami Heat bounced back from a miserable fourth quarter collapse in game two of the NBA finals on Sunday despite another quiet night from superstar LeBron James.
Dwayne Wade finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth double double of the post-season as the Heat defeated Dallas 88-86 in game three of the championship series.Wade, Chris Bosh (18 points) and James (17) combined for 64 of 88 points for the Heat who took a 2-1 series lead.
"We did a good job of withstanding the points in the game where it looked like they had momentum," said Wade, who scored seven of the Heat's last nine points.
"We held on to our lead and we made enough plays to win the ballgame. We put it upon ourselves to take home court back by any means necessary."
History is on the Heat's side as the winner of game three, after a 1-1 split in the first two games, has gone on to win the title 11 times. On Thursday the Heat led by 15 points with seven minutes to go before losing 95-93.
James shot six-of-14 from the field overall but scored just two points in the fourth quarter. He finished with nine assists but didn't play like the King James the Heat were hoping for when they lured him from Cleveland at the start of the season.
James bristled at suggestions he was struggling on offence.
"Honestly I am a two-way player," James said. "D-Wade had it going offensively so we allow him to handle the ball. You should watch the film again and see what I was doing defensively."
Wade's team-high 29 points brought back memories of his stunning performance in game three five years ago against the same Mavericks when he won the playoff MVP.
Wade had 42 points in 13 rebounds in game three of the 2006 finals and for a while on Sunday he looked like he might surpass that after scoring 11 points in the second quarter.
"My teammates could tell I wanted this game," Wade said. "I have been here before so I am trying to lead. My guys did a great job of following that lead and we were able to come out with the win."
