Where There is a JWill, There is a Way

Game 6, American Airlines Arena, Miami.

The Heat held the series to a 3-2 advantage, and they never looked back. They shot 55% from the field, and kept the pace open to a double digit lead for most of the game.

Shaq dominated. 28 points on 12-14 shooting, 16 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. So many key plays to lift his team and continue to pound the Pistons inside, taking the paint away from them. Shaq even became a much better defender in this series, consistently getting out on high screen and rolls to defend the ball carrier, using his agility to create a giant wall to block off any attack.

The bench did their job, they contributed to a high level of play. Po-Z had 11 rebounds in only 24 minutes. Payton provided a nice transition when Jason Williams went down with foul trouble, handling the ball and pushing the offense getting 6 points and 2 assists along with a steal in 18 minutes. And while Payton gets to return to the Finals, with Shaq, Posey gets there for the first time.

Then there was the story of the night - Dwyane Wade, with the flu, leading his team past the Pistons towards the franchise's first ever Finals appearance. Well, the story did not turn out exactly as it was set up - it was supposed to be the coronation of a new rising legend with Dwyane Wade, but instead it settled for a light sizzle like the pop of a soda. Wade did need all the hydration he could get, and he was able enough to quench the Heat's thirst for a win as he muscled in 14 points on 6-15 shooting, closing out the third quarter in a flurry. But he also contributed to the Heat's win by becoming play maker, dishing out 10 assists.

Then there was Jason Williams - the quiet enigma of a player that has refined his game and stripped it down in order to help fit into a team's identity instead of trying to become the team identity. Known for his flashy play, Williams has been quietly working to better his game through sacrifice even while with the Memphis Grizzlies. And playing with chronic knee tendonitis, Jwill was able to keep pushing for this team and helping them assert their playoff demands on every game night - no matter what pain he went through.

And last night was the culmination for him. We all knew Williams could play. We all knew he had big time ability - he just demonstrated it for us. And it couldn't have come at a better time. "I thought you saw his game tonight," Riley said, "it came at the right time." Words couldn't ring more true.

Because you can talk about all the strengths of this Heat team, how much deeper they are, how much more talented they are than their opponents or even of any other Heat team for that matter. But it comes down to guys making plays and Jason Williams stepped up on a night when the Heat needed someone to. Dwyane Wade had been carrying this team for most of the season and most of their resurgence in the playoffs. Shaq has been the big stabilizer, too. But for once, it came down to will, of not letting the other team take from you what you have worked so hard to gain. Jason Williams demonstrated that, too. He came out ablaze, hitting his first 10 shots in a row.

The Heat never looked back. They kept attacking.

And now, they are going to the NBA Finals for the first time in their franchise history.