SAN ANTONIO (AP) — LeBron James wanted the responsibility on his powerful shoulders.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh proved Thursday it doesn’t have to be that way.
James can win the Miami Heat plenty of games, but even he can’t win a title alone.
“We’re not going to win this series if myself, Chris and LeBron don’t show up to play on a consistent basis,” Wade said.
“So tonight was kind of one of the best performances that we all had in the playoffs together at the same time, just being aggressive from start to finish, and hopefully that’s what we can see for the next three games.”
Riding big performances from their Big Three, the Heat tied the NBA Finals with a 109-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4.
James had 33 points and 11 rebounds after failing to break 20 points in any of the first three games of the series, and Wade scored 32 points, 11 more than his previous high this postseason.
Bosh matched his playoff high with 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, he and Wade supplying the baskets that finally put the Spurs away for good midway through the fourth quarter.
Tim Duncan scored 20 points for the Spurs, who have one more game here on Sunday. They fell to 10-3 at home all-time in the finals, failing to back up their 113-77 victory in Game 3 that was the third-most lopsided score in the history of the championship series.
James insisted he would be better after shooting 7 of 21 from the field with no free throws in that game, saying he was the star and it was his job to lead his team. He was 15 of 25 on Thursday.
But while James — and millions of critics worldwide — wanted to pile all the pressure on the league’s MVP, it was Wade on Wednesday who said it was the Heat’s three All- Stars who had to lead them together, or there would be no championship.
He was right. And now those championship hopes are right back on track.
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