2012 NBA Finals, Heat Vs. Thunder: Complete Coverage From SBNation.com

Heat Repeat: How Miami Can Win Another Championship In 2013

Can the Heat repeat in 2013? Only if they execute our 10-step plan properly.

For Thunder, NBA Finals Loss Is A Rite Of Passage

The Heat had to lose in the Finals last year before they could win it all this year. The Thunder will try to apply that lesson and look to take the next step next season.

Chris Bosh Haters And Emasculators: Meet Extinction

All of those who tried to take away Chris Bosh's manhood over the past two years got a lesson in toughness during this postseason. And Bosh didn't have to change a thing to teach it.

About Damn Time: LeBron James Is An NBA Champion

LeBron James won his first NBA Championship on Thursday, and after two years of insanity on all sides, the Decision Era is finally dead.

Russell Westbrook: The NBA Finals' Scorpion King

Russell Westbrook has been a lightning rod for criticism during the NBA Finals, so Dan Grunfeld takes a look at the enigmatic Thunder point guard and comes to the conclusion that the guy is just a scorpion.

Rebounding Is The Difference In NBA Finals For Heat

In each of the first four Finals games, the team that has won the rebounding battle has won the game. Chris Bosh has been terrific on the glass in three straight Miami wins while Kevin Durant has been terrible. Durant has to do better for Oklahoma City to prolong the series.

Heat Vs. Thunder, 2012 NBA Finals Game 4: Miami Holds Strong, Picks Up 104-98 Victory Over Oklahoma City

The Miami Heat have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder following Tuesday night's 104-98 victory. The game ended with plenty of drama, most especially because LeBron James experienced cramps and eventually left the game for good in the final two minutes. Dwyane Wade said LeBron "would be good" when asked about his condition immediately after the game ended.

LeBron hit a crucial three-pointer when he came back for a brief time after he left the court to be worked on. The shot broke a 94-94 tie and helped continue a 12-4 run that ended the game in the Heat's favor. LeBron fell one rebound short of a triple-double, scoring 26 points, dishing the ball out for 12 assists and grabbing nine rebounds.

Mario Chalmers and Wade each added 25 points while Chris Bosh put in 13 points. Chalmers was 9-of-15 from the field and sank three from beyond the arc.

The Thunder's Russell Westbrook provided a great performance in the losing effort, scoring 43 points on 20-of-32 shooting. Kevin Durant added 28 points, but no other Thunder player reached double-digit points.

The Heat can close out this series on Thursday at home when Game 5 takes place at AmericanAirlines Arena. ABC will have the game at 9 p.m. ET.

For more on the Heat, head over to Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For Thunder news and notes, visit Welcome To Loud City or check out SB Nation Kansas City. And for news, analysis and everything else revolving around the NBA Playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.

NBA Finals: When In Doubt, Blame The Referees

Only a blind Thunder fan or someone who lives to troll LeBron James would think this NBA Finals series will be remembered for its officiating.

NBA Finals 2012, Heat Vs. Thunder Game 4: Game TIme, TV Schedule And More

Bad fouls crippled Oklahoma City in Game 3 and allowed the Miami Heat to overcome their jump shooting woes. Everyone has something to improve on heading into Game 4.

Lesson Learned: Maybe It's The Heat Who Are All Grown Up

The Heat topped the Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, and on an evening where Kevin Durant and OKC showed their youth, the Heat showed their growth.

VIDEO: NBA Finals Scene Moves To Miami

Kendrick Perkins Just Wasn't Made For These NBA Finals

The Thunder brought in Kendrick Perkins partly due to his championship experience. Unfortunately, Perk's 2012 championship experience has been lousy. It's time to put Perk on ice.

Heat Outlast OKC, And The NBA Finals Are Perfect

LeBron James had 32 points and a little help from the refs, and the Heat survived another Thunder comeback to tie up the series with a Game 2 win. The NBA Finals can't get much better than this.

Foul Play: How The Refs Screwed Kevin Durant And The Thunder

Referees tend to swallow their whistles in the closing moments of close games, but when legitimate fouls are not called as occurred in Game 2 of the NBA Finals Thursday night, the impact on the outcome can be just as dramatic.

When Thunder Take Off, They Need To Leave James Harden Behind

The time is ticking on this version of the Thunder due to new luxury tax rules. Game 1 helped show why OKC should choose Serge Ibaka over James Harden.

Blame Heat's Defensive Problems On Players, Not Erik Spoelstra

There's no need for a complicated scheme change with the Miami Heat's defense. Their defensive problems in Game 1 are far simpler.

NBA Finals 2012, Thunder Vs. Heat Game 2: Game TIme, TV Schedule And More

The Heat and Thunder will square off in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

I Am So Confused About Lil' Wayne's NBA Finals Rooting Interests

NBA Finals Fashion: Shut Up, Everyone Looks Fine

The new trends in NBA fashion have created a secondary discussion away from the court. But is there any substance to it?

Thunder's Superior Depth On Display In Game 1 Win Over Heat

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were great as usual, but it may be the Thunder's superior depth that will prove to be the difference in the NBA Finals.

It's The Finals Countdown: Predicting An Unpredictable Heat-Thunder Series

Complete pre-series coverage of the 2012 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder from around the SB Nation network.

NBA Finals 2012 Preview And Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder In 6

The much-anticipated 2012 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat will begin on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. To get ready for the series, SLAM writer and GQ contributor Lang Whitaker joined SB Nation's Amy K. Nelson in studio to preview the series, discuss the narrative differences between LeBron James and Kevin Durant and offer up a prediction.

"I'm going Thunder in 6," Whitaker said. "The Thunder have their own Big 3 -- [Russell] Westbrook, [James] Harden and Durant -- but they also have a lot of depth in the post, which Miami doesn't really have. They have scoring. They have defense. We haven't even mentioned Serge Ibaka, who almost won Defensive Player of the Year. Kendrick Perkins is one of the toughest guys to score on in the post in the league."

The first two games of the series will be played in Oklahoma City, followed by the next three in Miami. If the series goes any further, the final two games will be back in Oklahoma City.

NBA Finals Keys To Success For Miami Heat, OKC Thunder

The Heat and Thunder should stage a great NBA Finals, but what are the keys to figuring out which of the two evenly-matched teams will come out on top?

NBA Finals: How Russell Westbrook Embraced The Dark Side

The Thunder are in the NBA Finals, and Russell Westbrook didn't have to change one bit to get them there. It's time to embrace reality and question the tropes about what it means to be a point guard embedded in our basketball culture.

Hoop Dream Come True: LeBron James And Kevin Durant In The NBA Finals

As the Thunder and the Heat get ready for the NBA Finals, there will be those who tell you it's not all about LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Don't listen to them.

Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Need To Win Now

The small-market Thunder have done everything right to build a great young team. But the luxury tax will likely make it impossible to retain all their young talent when James Harden and Serge Ibaka reach free agency next summer.

NBA Finals: Attempting To Predict Heat Vs. Thunder Series

This NBA Finals has become the series no one wants to pick -- because no one has a clue as to what will happen. But we'll take that plunge.

Crown The King: LeBron James Will Win His First NBA Title

Why Miami will win the NBA Finals, why everything will change for Kevin Durant win or lose, and why I enjoyed the travesty that was Pacquiao-Bradley. Time for the Monday Morning Jones.

NBA Finals Coaches Know Scrutiny, Bring Different Styles

Erik Spoelstra and Scott Brooks will have every decision second-guessed during the NBA Finals. But one of them will come out of it with a piece of hardware that removes a whole lot of question marks going forward.