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Miami dominant in Game 7, 99-76

MIAMI — LeBron James walked off the court, stopped on his way to the bench to shake David Beckham’s hand, then exchanged a few high-fives and quick hugs with teammates.

No raucous celebration was necessary. Getting back to the NBA Finals isn’t nearly enough to satisfy James or the Miami Heat.

For the third straight year, the Heat are headed to the title round.

James scored 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds, ailing Dwyane Wade matched his best effort of this postseason with 21 points, and the Heat ran away from the Indiana Pacers 99-76 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night.

Next up for Miami: Game 1 of the title round, at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

“This is what it’s all about,” James said. “I dreamed about opportunities like this as a kid to have a Game 7, no matter at home or on the road. And that game allows you to advance to the finals. I have had multiple dreams about it. To see a dream become a reality, I’m just very blessed. Our team is blessed.”

The first six games of the East finals went like this for the Heat: Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss.

Form held in Game 7, though there wasn’t much doubt about this outcome.

A series that had an aggregate score of Heat 569, Pacers 564 through the first six games ended with a runaway, with the Heat leading by as many as 28 at one point. And many of the things that they were criticized for throughout the series — not being aggressive, not getting enough from Wade, not getting enough rebounds — were huge pluses Monday night.

The aggression was spearheaded by James at both ends, starting with his lockdown defense on Paul George and outscoring the Pacers from the foul line himself, 15-14. Wade had the bounce-back night he and his painful right knee have needed for a while, not just with the 21 points but with a game-high six offensive rebounds. And the Heat controlled the backboards.

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