NBA Finals: LeBron James stars as Miami Heat win Game Seven to retain NBA title
The Miami Heat claimed a 95-88 victory over the San Antonio Spurs to clinch a second straight NBA title.
Last Updated: 21/06/13 11:26am
LeBron James scored 37 points as the Heat retained their crown in front of their own fans.
After a closely-fought series, James produces a series of clutch plays as Miami kept the Spurs at arm's length down the stretch.
James added 12 rebounds to his haul to earn the MVP award for the second straight year, while Dwayne Wade had 23 points and 10 boards and Shane Battier sunk six-three pointers off the bench for 18 points.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard had 19 points and 16 boards.
San Antonio, who lost game six in dramatic circumstances two days ago, appeared to have settled better as they established an 11-4 lead early on.
By the end of the first quarter, though, Miami - roared on by a home crowd which included the likes of pop star Justin Bieber and footballer Didier Drogba - led 18-16.
In truth, neither side hit their stride until the second half, when the Heat repeatedly seemed set to pull away, but the Spurs kept coming back.
The chances came and went for San Antonio in the closing minutes.
When Manu Ginobili sunk a three-pointer to cut the Miami lead to 85-82 with 4:21 remaining, Danny Green forced the turnover from a bad Wade pass and his own three-point attempt could have pulled the Spurs level.
He missed, though, and Miami immediately stretched their lead back to six courtesy of Battier's three-pointer.
When, with 1:39 remaining, Mario Chalmers missed a pair of free-throw attempts, the impressive Leonard could not take advantage as he missed a three-pointer from out wide, which would have put the Spurs ahead by one.
With less than a minute to go, Duncan missed a hook shot and subsequent tip effort which would have levelled the scores - and that proved to be the final chance for the Spurs.
James sunk a jumper with 27.9 seconds remaining to stretch the lead to four points and there was no way back.
When Wade hit a free throw with 16.3 seconds remaining to stretch the advantage to seven points, it was the biggest lead they had held all night.
