OKLAHOMA CITY, June 15 (UPI) -- LeBron James hit two free throws with 7 seconds left Thursday, enabling Miami to hold off Oklahoma City 100-96 and deadlock the NBA championship series.
James scored 32 points and helped the Heat rush to an 18-2 lead, but the Thunder came close to stealing the contest after trailing by seven in the final minute.
With the series tied at 1-1, Miami will host the next three games and have a chance to win the NBA title at home. The first of those contests will be played Sunday.
A Miami win appeared to be a certainty after Chris Bosh slammed home a dunk to give the Heat a 98-91 cushion with 58 seconds to go.
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Kevin Durant then made a layup for the Thunder and, after a timeout, Dwyane Wade committed a turnover that was quickly turned into a 3-point shot by Durant.
James then missed a 3-pointer with 15 seconds to go and Oklahoma City had a chance to tie, which the Thunder attempted to do on a baseline jumper by Durant. Durant's shot misfired, however, and James grabbed the rebound -- setting up the two free throws that clinched the victory.
Wade scored 24 points, Shane Battier had 17 and Bosh produced 16 in his first start since suffering an abdominal strain during the second-round series against Indiana.
Bosh missed nine playoff games with the injury and then came off the bench in four contests, including the opener of the Oklahoma City series.
Durant led the Thunder with 32 points, Russell Westbrook scored 27 and James Harden produced 21.
