Thunder vs. Heat: NBA Finals Game 4 Recap, Highlights and Breakdown

LeBron James and the Miami Heat are one win away from being crowned after taking a 104-98 decision last night. They had to overcome a spectacular individual performance to get this one. Game 4 of the NBA Finals was a microcosm of the overall perception of Russell Westbrook.

For most of the game he was magnificent. The word unguardable is not going over-the-top, he was that good. He scored 43 points, but his brain-fart foul in the final moments will stain an otherwise spotless performance.

Don't get it twisted, without Westbrook the Thunder probably lose this game by 12 points. But fans' nature is to remember the failures much more than the successes. Westbrook can ask LeBron James how that feels.

The Thunder had a lead as big as 17 points in the first half, but they couldn't hold it.

Right now, aside from some pretty severe leg cramps, all is good in James' world. He is one game away from the ultimate prize and he has been masterful. He's done it in every way imaginable, the Game 4 edition featured James the facilitator.

James nearly had a triple-double finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists. He suffered some severe leg cramps late in the fourth quarter. He ultimately had to sit down for the final minutes, but before the cramps made it impossible to continue, he gave the lovers and the haters this:

The Heat were again bolstered by the efforts of James' supporting cast. The second member of the Big Three, Dwyane Wade, had his second consecutive 25-point performance. But the biggest contribution came from Mario Chalmers.

The Heat's usual whipping boy put in 25 points to quiet his critics as well.

Kevin Durant had a quiet 28 points and James Harden was just quiet. For the second consecutive game, Harden was two of 10 from the field. He had only eight points and the Thunder have been missing his contribution terribly.

Let's take a closer look at how this one unfolded:

The Numbers

Heat Three-Point Shooting 

Miami allowed the Thunder to shoot just under 49 percent from the field, which is a definite no-no, but they bailed themselves out with their three-point shooting. Miami made 10 three-pointers including three big ones before the half that sliced the Thunder's lead significantly.

Rebounding—Miami 40, OKC 35 

This stat continues to hold true. The winner of the battle on the boards has won every game in this series. The Heat were paced on the glass by both Chris Bosh, and LeBron James who had nine a piece.

Moments of Sickness

Westbrook was so good in this game you could have placed any number of his plays here. That said, I'm partial to this nasty tip-slam:

As I said before, LeBron did it with his passing last night. No pass he threw all night was prettier than this telepathic look to Wade off an offensive rebound:

The Turning Point

This moment shouldn't be lost in the second-half excitement; Norris Cole came in off the bench in the first half and gave Miami an emotional lift.

He made two big three-point baskets and was instrumental in the run that erased the Thunder's 17-point lead.

Twitterage

Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports gave us this thought from Mario Chalmers:

"

Mario Chalmers called it a sign of disrespect when Kevin Durant was guarding him.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) June 20, 2012"

Chalmers was a bit miffed by Durant being placed on him to rest on defense. Chalmers didn't like being treated like chopped liver and he ate the Thunder up because of it.

The Beast

Mario Chalmers

Chalmers was huge. His 25 points was the biggest contribution in the game. I'm not taking LeBron for granted as most do, but failing to recognize Chalmers' performance would be crazy.

Next Up

Game 5

It's closing time for the Heat.

Can they do it at home?

If they don't, there is an increased measure of pressure on them. They would have to go to Oklahoma City for the final two games of the series.

Even though Miami would still be up three games to two, the Thunder's loss in Game 2 was their only defeat at home in the postseason.

The Heat must take the title now, they don't want to let the Thunder back in this series.

For the gloves off image recap of last night's game, click here

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