Critics of LeBron James often point to his late-game disappearances in the postseason. When the Chicago Bulls visit the Miami Heat in the NBA’s best game Sunday afternoon, they will have no recollection of any of those instances.
That’s because in last year’s Eastern Conference finals, James was spectacular down the stretch in all four of Miami’s wins.
In Game 2, James scored nine points in the final 4 1/2 minutes to take home-court advantage from the Bulls. In an 85-75 victory where points were at a premium, he had 29.
In a Game 3 home win, James collected 22 points, 10 assists – and no turnovers. In Game 4, James matched up with MVP Derrick Rose down the stretch and held him scoreless from the field in the fourth quarter and overtime of a series-shifting win.
And in Game 5, James and Dwyane Wade powered an 18-3 closing run that eliminated the Bulls on their home floor. In Miami’s four wins, it held a 106-73 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter and OT.
James could have another big game this afternoon because the Bulls are without injured forward 
Luol Deng, who usually draws the matchup. Chicago likely will use Ronnie Brewer and perhaps rookie Jimmy Butler on him.
Injuries have not slowed down the Bulls, who have the East’s best record at 17-4 despite playing without Rose, Deng, Richard Hamilton and Joakim Noah at various times this season. They already have road wins over the Lakers, Clippers, Magic and Celtics, but this is unquestionably their toughest test thus far – and begins a nine-game road trip.
The Heat (14-5) have won six of seven since a three-game losing streak – all on the road – that had the kneejerk pundits claiming the sky was falling because James was disappearing in the fourth quarter again. However, they are not infallible at home, losing to Milwaukee a week ago.
On Friday, Miami got back Dwyane Wade, who scored 28 points in a 99-89 win over New York and looked fully recovered from his ankle injury. Hamilton – Chicago’s key offseason acquisition, expected to take some of the defensive focus off Rose – will have to shadow Wade as well.