Getty ImagesHamilton and the Pistons made one more run, his jumper with 6:24 left getting Detroit within 80-67. He made a steal 17 seconds later, but O’Neal blocked his layup — then followed with a dunk on the other end, as Wade pumped his fist and Riley clapped knowingly.
Minutes later, the championship was theirs.
Riley and owner Micky Arison stood arm-in-arm as they awaited the presentation of the Eastern Conference championship trophy from NBA vice president Stu Jackson. Alonzo Mourning — the face of this franchise for so long — stood behind them, nodding and holding a finger aloft.
“I’m happy and pleased for Micky Arison, who did everything in his power to get to this point,” Mourning said. “We went through a lot of pain as a franchise over the years.”
Then Riley lifted the silver trophy, as a sea of players’ hands reached in for a touch — with one notable exception.
“I only celebrate it,” O’Neal said, “when it’s really over. ... The job is not done.”
Riley is taking his third team to the Finals, after the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s and the blue-collar Knicks of the mid-1990s. He came here a decade ago, envisioning a parade down Biscayne Boulevard.
He’s never been closer.
“Jason, myself and Posey, we wanted to prove that coach didn’t make the wrong decisions,” Walker said. “Everybody on this team made a lot of sacrifices and it’s all coming together at the right time.”
“Four more wins,” O’Neal said, “and we’ll be all right.”
They’ll be more than all right. They’ll be champions.
Notes: Miami improved to 3-4 all-time in Game 6s, while the Pistons lost for the first time in their last 10 Game 6s. ... The Heat, who were 6-for-20 from the foul line in a Game 5 loss, were 11-for-17 Friday. ... James Posey had 11 rebounds, all defensive, in 24 minutes for the Heat. ... Celebrities in the sellout crowd included Dolphins coach Nick Saban, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo, singer Janet Jackson and renowned chef Steve Martorano.
A balanced offensive and defensive attack combined with some dreadful shooting by the Boston Celtics helped the Philadelphia 76ers avoid elimination and force a deciding Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 82-75 victory Wednesday night.
CSN: The young and inexperienced 76ers showed no fear with their backs against the wall in Game 6 and earned a final shot against the Celtics on Saturday for a berth into the Eastern Conference finals.
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