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Dates | June 12–21 | |||||||||
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MVP | LeBron James (Miami Heat) | |||||||||
Hall of Famers | Heat: Chris Bosh (2021) Dwyane Wade (2023) | |||||||||
Eastern finals | Heat defeated Celtics, 4–3 | |||||||||
Western finals | Thunder defeated Spurs, 4–2 | |||||||||
The 2012 NBA Finals was the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2011–12 season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs, contested between the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat defeated the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder. It was played from June 12 to 21, 2012.
Led by the "Big Three" of season MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, the Heat defeated the Thunder in five games. The Thunder, led by three future MVPs in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, had home-court advantage, and won Game 1 before the Heat won the next four games to clinch their second title in history, having won their first six years earlier. The win by the Heat earned James his first championship.[1] James was also named the Finals MVP.[2]