LeBron James Shines Down the Stretch in Game 5 Clincher, Derrick Rose Disappears

With just over two minutes left in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, LeBron James drilled a three-pointer to bring the Heat within five after being down 10 just inside three minutes.

During the ensuing timeout, the United Center pumped an iconic Black Eyed Peas tune.

I got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night—that tonight’s gonna be a good good night. Or something to that effect.

Not quite.

At least not if James had anything to say about it.

The final two-plus minutes saw James drop two three-point daggers, including the game-tying three, and the go-ahead jumper from the top of the key with under a minute left in the game.

But as much as James and the Heat were the lead act in the final two minutes, Derrick Rose was also on stage. Perhaps a stage he wasn’t quite ready for.

With about 24 second left and down by two, Rose drove to the basket and drew a foul, meriting two shots.

The first was good, the second—the potential game-tying shot—not so much.

But perhaps the final play of the game told the story of the series.

Rose had the ball in his hands with time winding down, trailing 83-80. Just before the final buzzer, in double-coverage, Rose hoisted up a potential game-tying three-pointer, but James would have none of it.

James swatted the shot, and with it, squashed Rose and the Bulls’ NBA Finals hopes.

Eight points in just over two minutes for James, one big missed free throw and another failed game-winner for “the MVP.”

You can’t bash Rose for his performance. Still a youngster at age 22, perhaps these moments are just too big for him. At least for now. He has a great career ahead of him, likely with a championship—perhaps multiple titles—in his future.

But James was bigger than any moment in the series. He was transcendent.

Dwyane Wade—the star hailed as Miami’s true No. 1 to whom James would defer in situations such as those that came about at the end of Games 4 and 5—simply wasn’t himself. He shot 6-of-13 from the floor, many from close range, with nine turnovers. Shooting 8-of-11 from the free-throw line helped him get to 21 points, but his night was largely pedestrian.

But James picked up the slack admirably.

After all, that's why James took his talents there. That's why Chris Bosh, who contributed 20 points and 10 boards of his own, rode shotgun alongside James down I-95 South and onto Florida state road A1A to team up with Wade.

And right now, Wade couldn’t be more thankful.

Tonight, fellas, drinks are on Wade.

I got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night in South Beach.

James finished with a game-high 28 points—the final eight being the most critical, as they led an 18-3 run to end the game—with 11 boards. Rose had a solid night, contributing 25 points, but perhaps his 9-of-28 shooting performance with just eight assists speaks volumes for the young "point guard."

That and his disappearing act in the final two minutes.

So while Rose and the Bulls go back to the drawing board, James, Bosh and Wade are one step closer to getting what they came for. But they’ll have to go through the suddenly legendary Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks to achieve it.

I got a feeling that it’s gonna be a good NBA Finals.