MIAMI — When you consider his back was aching the whole time, veteran Mike Miller had a great NBA Finals, in the area of shooting his specialty, the 3-point shot. Miller finished 7-for-11.
When you consider he was 0-for-3 through four games, you have to realize his Game 5 was ultra special.
“It’s opportunity. Tonight was just that opportunity,” Miller said after the Heat dispatched the Thunder, 121-106, to win their second NBA title in seven seasons. “I got some extended minutes (23) and was able to take advantage of it.”
In those 23 minutes, Miller scored 23 points. Not a bad comeback. Sort of what the Heat did all season.
“Been a roller-coaster, it’s been up and down but it’s been worth every minute of it,” Miller said.
“Through everything we kept trying, staying the course and trusting each other.”
The pain made it even better.
“Everyone’s dealing with something,” Miller said. “I’m just glad they didn’t take me out the barn and put me down.
“To be honest with you, the whole playoffs my jumpers felt great,’’ he added. “The first couple games of the NBA Finals, my first jumper [was off].
“Usually I can tell when I shoot that first one. Last game, when I shot the one I got, it was long. . . . But tonight I got some opportunities and knocked them down.”