MIAMI, June 20 (UPI) -- LeBron James scored 26 points Tuesday to carry Miami past Oklahoma City 104-98 and put the Heat one win away from the NBA championship.
James came off the bench late in the fourth quarter after nursing painful leg cramps and knocked down the go-ahead 3-point shot with 2:51 to play that put the Heat up 3-1 in the series, an advantage no team has ever overcome in the history of the NBA finals.
Miami can wrap up the series Thursday by winning Game 5 in Miami.
Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers both scored 25 points for the Heat. Miami shot 48.1 percent from the field and made 18-of-25 free throws.
Russell Westbrook poured in 43 points to lead the Thunder, going 20-of-32 shots from the field. Westbrook picked up only three points from the free throw line and was 0-for-3 from 3-point range.
Kevin Durant had 28 points but was the only Thunder player other than Westbrook to score double figures.
Oklahoma City led 33-19 at the end of the first quarter. The Heat reversed the momentum in the second quarter, outscoring the Thunder 27-16 and then held the visitors off in the fourth quarter, with James' 25-foot jumper breaking a 94-94 tie and giving Miami the lead for good.
