The Miami Heat can wrap up their second NBA title with a victory Thursday in Game 5. If the Thunder win, they would get the series back to Oklahoma City, where they are 9-1 this postseason.
That became a little tougher after James Harden bruised his left hand during the loss. Already struggling through two miserable games in Miami, Harden sat out a portion of practice Wednesday to ice the hand, but he is expected to play Thursday.
Coach Scott Brooks was criticized for keeping Durant and Russell Westbrook on the bench together too long in the third quarter of Game 3, and center Kendrick Perkins seemed to question his rotation pattern in Game 4, when Brooks stuck with the subs after the first unit's quick start.
Westbrook was sensational in Game 4 with 43 points, and Durant scored 28, but the Thunder couldn't put another player in double figures.
The Heat have stepped up to support LeBron James, who had 26 points in Game 4, with Shane Battier scoring 17 points in each of the first two games and Mario Chalmers coming up with a series-high 25 in Tuesday's game.
James practiced on Wednesday, after leaving Game 4 in the fourth quarter because of leg cramps.
The league's MVP said he was feeling better. He planned to continue getting treatment right up to Game 5 on Thursday.
Even up three games to one in the best-of-seven series, James said he was keeping his focus.
"My job is not done," he said.
Hornets-Wizards trade. The New Orleans Hornets traded forward Trevor Ariza and center Emeka Okafor to the Washington Wizards for forward Rashard Lewis and a second-round draft pick.
Lewis is entering the last season of a $118 million, six-year contract and could be a candidate for the NBA's amnesty clause, meaning he may not end up playing for the Hornets if New Orleans chooses to cut him loose in order to clear space under the salary cap.
New Orleans also receives the 46th pick in this year's draft, which originally belonged to Dallas.
The Hornets, who are expected to take Kentucky star Anthony Davis with the top overall draft pick and also have the 10th selection, did not have a second-round pick before the trade. Washington, meanwhile, has the third overall pick and still has the second pick of the second round.
Magic hire GM. The Orlando Magic have hired Rob Hennigan to be the team's new general manager.
Hennigan spent the last four seasons with Oklahoma City, including the last two seasons as the Thunder's assistant general manager/player personnel. Prior to joining the Thunder, Hennigan spent four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.
Hennigan replaces Otis Smith.
The Magic still need to find a new head coach after firing Stan Van Gundy last month.
NBA Report
NBA FINALS GAME 5
Thunder at Heat
Thursday at 9 p.m.
TV: 6ABC
(Heat lead series, 3-1)
