Miami bounces Celtics
MIAMI — He scored the game’s final 10 points. He knelt on the court when it was over. He even apologized afterward for any feelings that may have been hurt last summer when he left Cleveland for Miami.
For LeBron James, the night was emotional and unforgettable.
And imagine: The Miami Heat are only halfway through the pursuit of an NBA title.
Finally vanquishing their rivals from Boston, Dwyane Wade scored 34 points, James added 33 — including a spectacular closing flourish — and the Heat went on a 16-0 run over the final 4:15 to beat the Celtics 97-87 on Wednesday and win their Eastern Conference semifinal series in five games.
When it was over, James took a knee, oblivious to the photographers who quickly surrounded him in Miami’s celebration. By then, some of the Celtics were already back in the locker room, skipping the customary end-of-series handshakes. James didn’t seem to notice.
“Everything went through my mind at that point,” James said. “Finally getting over this hump against this team. Everything I went through this summer, with ‘The Decision’ and deciding to come down here to be a part of this team ... because I knew how important team is to this sport ... and all the backlash I got from it.
“I’d be up here for two hours if I tell you exactly everything that went through my head. Very emotional at that point, you know, and happy we got through it as a team.”
Thunder 99, Grizzlies 72
Back at home for Game 5, the Oklahoma City Thunder made quick work of a Grizzlies team they needed so long to vanquish in Memphis.
Now, it’s back to the house of overtimes.
Kevin Durant scored 19 points, reserve Daequan Cook added 18 and the Thunder took the series lead in the Western Conference semifinals for the first time by beating the Grizzlies 99-72 on Wednesday night.
Just two nights after Oklahoma City needed three overtimes to emerge with a 133-123 victory, Durant and fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook weren’t even needed in the fourth quarter of a blowout.
“We don’t want to be overconfident, I think, but I think we’ve got a good level of confidence,” Durant said. “There’s a difference. There’s a fine line between being cocky and confident.”
