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LeBron James top-scored with 32 points as the Miami Heat reached their third straight NBA Finals with a 99-76 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday, but it was Dwyane Wade’s return to form that gave coach Erik Spoelstra the most pleasure.
Wade has been struggling with a painful knee injury throughout the playoffs and it showed in his production, with the guard failing to register 20 points in any of his previous 12 games.
But his 21 points on Monday, combined with nine rebounds, gave Miami the additional boost they needed in the Game Seven decider.
The aggression was back, the confidence to drive to the rim and with it, the Heat looked a more complete unit following their Game Six setback.
“That’s just Dwyane being who he is. He has an uncanny way, when you count him out and you need him most, when the competition is fiercest, he’s going to be there for you,” Spoelstra told reporters.
Reported by Simon Evans of Reuters
