Miami Heat keep NBA Finals alive with narrow win over Los Angeles Lakers

The Miami Heat held off a late run by the Los Angeles Lakers to stop LeBron James and his side from wrapping up the NBA Finals series in five games.

The Heat, needing to win to keep the series alive, found themselves up 93-87 early in the fourth quarter as Miami looked to rain on LA's parade.

Wearing their black mamba jerseys in memory of Kobe Bryant, the Lakers rallied and had a 17-3 run ahead of a rollercoaster end in Orlando.

Jimmy Butler, who had another Finals triple-double with 35 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, was fouled with less than a minute to play and made two free throws for a 109-108 lead.

Danny Green missed a three-point jumper on the next possession, Tyler Herro was fouled and stepped up to the line for a 111-108 lead and James, who had 40 points, missed a 40-footer at the buzzer as the Heat took it to Game Six on Sunday.