The talk here all day was of the tropical depression and the threat it held for the lives and well-being of the community.
Oh, yes, and there was tropical storm Alberto. But with the weather warning more forecast than reality, the attention remained on the big, darkening cloud hovering over the city, the Dallas Mavericks and their chance to effectively end these NBA Finals.
The Mavs were not able to Tuesday as the Heat closed within 2-1 with a 98-96 victory with Game 4 here Thursday. Dwyane Wade scored 42 points, 15 in the fourth quarter when the Heat rallied from a 12-point deficit.
Game 4 is Thursday at Miami.
Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 but missed one of two potentially game-tying free throws with 3.4 seconds left.
“We’ve been through some tough things through the playoffs,” Riley said before the game. “And the only way we’ll ever get back on top is to play together and play to one another.”
The Heat brought it this time in leading by eight after the first quarter, letting the margin evaporate and then taking a 52-43 halftime lead.
