Heat start strong once again, lead Thunder at the half

Jun 15, 2012 - 2:34 AM Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - The Heat once again started strong on Thursday and jumped out to a 55-43 halftime lead over the Thunder in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Miami, of course, held an early double-digit advantage in Game 1 but was eventually undone by Oklahoma City's athleticism and offensive prowess.

Facing a 1-0 deficit after that 105-94 loss, the Heat exhibited a sense of urgency on Thursday and opened the game with an 18-2 run. Dwyane Wade, whose production has been spotty at times in this postseason, was in control and handed out all three of his team's first-quarter assists to go with seven points.

He had 13 points by halftime and the Heat led by as many as 17 on more than one occasion. LeBron James added 14 points and Chris Bosh chipped in 10 and 10 rebounds.

The score may have been even more lopsided if it weren't for the play of Thunder sixth man James Harden, who buoyed his floundering squad while fellow stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook struggled.

Harden had 17 points -- including 10 in the first quarter -- while Durant had six on 3-of-9 shooting and Westbrook scored nine while going 2-of-10 from the field.

The Heat will now be tasked with containing the Thunder in the second half. They failed to do so in Game 1, as Durant and Westbrook combined to outscore the entire Miami team -- 41-40 -- after intermission.