LeBron James and the Miami Heat are once again the NBA Champions for the second straight year as the team repeated as they beat the San Antonio Spurs in a decisive Game 7 Thursday night.
James, 28, is the Finals MVP after he scored 37 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and took control of the game during the final minutes before ultimately prevailing over the Spurs in Miami, 95-88. James was the catalyst when it counted the most with the Heat clinging to a two point lead with 30 seconds left.
James nailed a jumper to make it 92-88 with 27.9 seconds left on the clock. Moments later he stole the ball and was fouled in the process. James, often dubbed King James, hit both foul shots to put Miami up six with 23.5 seconds remaining. The sea of Miami Heat fans, all dressed in white, began celebrating as the clock ticked down to zero.
The win capped off another stellar season in James' already storied career. He led Miami to a 66-18 regular season record and captured his fourth straight league MVP trophy. As fans and sports pundits continue to compare him with the all time greats like Michael Jordan, James is not listening to any of it.
The Heat became the NBA's first repeat champions since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009-10, and the first team to beat the Spurs in the NBA Finals.
Dwyane Wade scored 23 points and won his third NBA title. Shane Battier had 18 on six 3-pointers.
The series clinching game followed Tuesday night's wild Game 6, where the Heat rallied late to push the game into overtime and force a Game 7.
On Thursday night, the Spurs bounced back from coming so close to a championship in Game 6 and were led by star forward Tim Duncan, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Duncan, a four-time NBA champion, missed a shot and follow attempt right under the basket with about 50 seconds left and the Spurs trailing by two.
Kawhi Leonard hit a 25-foot three point jumper to bring the Spurs to within two, but that's as close they would get in the final two minutes of the game before Battier nailed a three and James took over from there.
Spurs player Tony Parker was just 3-for-12 with 10 points, four assists while Manu Ginobili had 18 points.
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