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The Heat seemed calm after the game. The result of the best-of-seven series felt like a formality after Game 4, and it still did late Wednesday as Miami headed home for Game 5 with a 3-2 lead.

“I knew we were facing elimination,” George said. “Coach told me: ‘Green light. Stay on green.’ ”

George exploded for 21 points in the fourth quarter, but the game stayed close with James on the floor. James re-entered the game a minute and a half into the final period, with five fouls and 2 points under his belt, while David West was sinking a pair of free throws to give the Pacers a 70-62 lead.

James hit a 3-pointer with 3 minutes 50 seconds left to tie the game at 81-81. With 1:16 remaining, Chris Bosh banked in a 3-pointer to cut the Pacers’ lead to 88-87. On the ensuing possession, George ranged into the left corner, took a feed from Roy Hibbert and drained a 3-pointer to put the Pacers ahead by 91-87.

Bosh missed a 3-pointer on the other end, and after a scramble for the loose ball, George Hill found himself way ahead of the pack looking at an open layup. But James chased him down and smacked the ball out of his hand. The Heat swung the ball back to the other end, and Rashard Lewis, standing in the corner, sank a 3 to cut the lead to 1 again.

Bosh fouled David West, putting him on the foul line, and West made only one of two shots. The Heat had the ball out of a timeout trailing by 2 points with 12.8 seconds left on the clock.

On the inbounds play, James received the ball, drove into the lane and then elected to fire the ball out to Bosh, whose 3-point attempt from