The Miami Heat looked like they were on their way to sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs but Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams each hit huge three-points shots in the final minutes to give the 76ers the home win and make the series 3-1 Miami. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade did exactly what super stars are supposed to do in the post season, they played big and scored 53 points but the young Sixers showed why the Philadelphia fans should be excited about the future.
The 76ers out-scored the Heat 9-0 in the final 1:35 to win the game 86-82. LeBron James had a chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds. With his team down two points he caught the in-bounds pass and had a wide open chance at a game-winning three but passed that up to drive the lane. Andre Iguodala cut off the path to the basket and Elton Brand got a finger on the Jame's floater. The 76ers secured the rebound and rookie Evan Turner hit both free throws to seal the game.
The Philadelphia 76ers once again jumped out to a 28-16 first quarter lead before the Miami Heat woke up. The Heat defense ramped up the pressure and trapped the ball forcing five turnovers and scoring 12 fast break points. D-Wade had 14 of the Heat's 31 points in the second quarter and Miami took a one-point lead into the half.
The first half of the game featured each team dominating for 12 minutes but in the second half things were much more even. The third quarter was a tightly contested affair as neither side was able to find an offensive rhythm. Both teams shot 30 percent from the field.
That trend continued into the fourth and final quarter as the scrappy, young 76ers showed no signs of being ready to start their offseason. Big shot by Williams and Jrue Holiday, who the Phoenix Suns passed on in favor of Earl Clark, forced a Game 5 in Miami on Wednesday.