Miami, FL – The Thunder avoided another sluggish start on Sunday, but still trailed the Heat, 47-46, at halftime of Game 3.
LeBron James scored 16 points to pace Miami, which has led by double-digits in each of the first two games of this deadlocked NBA Finals series.
In fact, entering Sunday, the Thunder had yet to hold a lead in the first half of the set. They overcame a 13-point deficit to take Game 1, but weren't as fortunate in Game 2, which saw the Heat jump out to an 18-2 advantage before holding on for the win.
James scored 10 points in the first quarter of Game 3 and Miami was ahead 26-20, but this time Oklahoma City weathered the storm.
Kevin Durant, who missed a potential game-tying baseline runner in the closing seconds of Game 2, finished with 13 first-half points and nailed a turnaround jumper to tie the game early in the second quarter.
He drained a trey shortly before the break for a 41-38 lead but Shane Battier hit a pair of shots from beyond the arc and James added a three-point play in the final minute.
Russell Westbrook, who scored 13, drained a three shortly before the buzzer.
Dwyane Wade added 11 points for the Heat, who pounded the glass to the tune of 10 offensive rebounds.
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