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Miami Heat small forward LeBron James takes a break on the scorer's table during practice yesterday. Alan Diaz/AP/Press Association Images
NBA

Heat 'up for challenge' this time, insists relaxed LeBron James

The Heat took a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals with a 91-85 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Miami on Sunday, with Game 4 tonight.

LEBRON JAMES SAYS the Miami Heat have learned from mistakes of the past in their bid to clinch a first NBA title since 2006.

The Heat took a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals with a 91-85 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Miami on Sunday, with Game 4 tonight.

Miami collapsed when in the same position in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks last year, but James said the team has moved on.

“We’re a totally different team than we were last year, we were up 2-1, we’re a totally different team and we understand what it takes to win,” James said.

“We’ve used that motivation and we’ll continue to use that motivation but last year was last year and we’re not going to game four on someone else’s floor. We’re now more experienced together. We go into a game four on our floor with a lot of experience in this type of situation so we’ll be ready. We love the challenge.”

James had 29 points and 14 rebounds, while Dwayne Wade added 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the home side. For the Thunder, Kevin Durant hit 25 points and Russell Westbrook chipped in with 19.

“I missed a few shots but I’m going to shoot until my arm falls out man, in the fourth, that’s what I do,” Durant said.  ”I don’t care if I miss it or I make it, I’m going to keep believing in myself.

“I don’t care what people say on the outside or how many points I’m supposed to score in the fourth or what big players I’ve done in the past, all I’m worried about is myself and I’m going to keep doing what I do.

“I’ve got 100% confidence in myself that I can do it and the fourth quarter that comes round next time I’m going to be as aggressive as I can.”

The series continues at Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arena tonight.

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