How the Miami Heat won the NBA Championship - in pictures

After marching through the regular season with the best record in the NBA, the Miami Heat also marched through the first round of the playoffs, sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks Photograph: Robert Duyos/MCT via Getty Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the Western Conference and looked on course for a rematch of the 2012 Finals with the Miami Heat until Russell Westbrook injured his knee against the Houston Rockets. OKC advanced to the next round, but were now severely hampered Photograph: Sue Ogrocki/AP

The San Antonio Spurs were given a first round bonus when Kobe Bryant was ruled out of the playoffs with an achilles heel injury. The Spurs duly swept the Lakers. Kobe was still the star attraction in LA - via Twitter Photograph: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets' first ever playoffs appearance pitted them against the Chicago Bulls. In a see-saw series, Game Four saw the Bulls, inspired by Nate Robinson, recover from a 14-point deficit with four minutes remaining to eventually win in triple overtime. Chicago won the series in the only Game Seven of the first round of the playoffs Photograph: Jim Prisching/AP

The Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks just days after the Marathon bombings. The emotional backdrop wasn't quite enough to inspire a series win, although the Celtics did rally after losing the first three games to finally lose the series 4-2 Photograph: Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Bulls' reward for beating the Nets was a second round matchup with LeBron James and the Heat. Missing several key players and exhausted after the Nets marathon, Chicago succumbed 4-1 Photograph: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

After crushing the Lakers, the Spurs came up against the offensive talents of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. San Antonio eventually triumphed in Game Six Photograph: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

In the absence of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant found that he couldn't beat the Memphis Grizzlies all on his own. OKC Thunder lost the series in five games Photograph: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

After eliminating the Thunder, the Grizzlies were outplayed and swept by Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals Photograph: Larry W Smith/EPA

The Indiana Pacers forced LeBron James and the Miami Heat to dig deep to eventually emerge as Eastern Conference champions after a gruelling seven game series Photograph: Lynne Sladky/AP

And so to the Finals: Miami Heat v San Antonio Spurs. In Game One Tony Parker stunned the Heat with his shot-clock-beating game clincher. Spurs 1-0 Photograph: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America

Miami came storming back in Game Two, featuring this epic moment when LeBron James blocked Tiago Splitter's attempted dunk. Series tied 1-1 Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

The Spurs blew the Heat away in Game Three - led by Danny Green on an incredible 3-point shooting streak Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

But the Heat bounced back again in Game Four - led by Dwyane Wade rolling back the years Photograph: Aaron Sprecher/EPA

In Game Five it was San Antonio's Manu Ginobili who rolled back the years to put the Spurs 3-2 ahead in the series – just one win from the title Photograph: John G Mabanglo/EPA

The Spurs were seconds from claiming the NBA championship until another veteran, Miami's Ray Allen, hit a crucial 3-pointer to take the game to overtime. Miami finally claimed victory and forced a Game Seven decider Photograph: RHONA WISE/EPA

LeBron James (second left) and the Miami Heat stand for the national anthem as the world's press gather round for Game Seven in Miami Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Fans, almost all wearing the Miami Heat's colours, watch on Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

The Heat took an 18-16 first quarter lead. Here's LeBron James looking unflustered despite the attempts of his opponents Kawhi Leonard (left) and Danny Green (right) Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

Miami Heat power forward Chris Andersen (right) grabs a loose ball Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

James shoots a three pointer during the second quarter. Heat led 46-44 at half-time Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Dwyane Wade dunks as San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard trails behind him. It was a one-point ball game at the end of the third quarter, with Miami Heat leading Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Heat fans hope and pray while watching the match in a local bar – the prayers worked ... Photograph: Javier Galeano/AP

A powerhouse performance from James saw the Heat pull away in the final quarter to record a 95-88 win and claim their second successive NBA title Photograph: NBAE/Getty Images

Dwyane Wade reacts at the final buzzer as the crowd in the background erupt Photograph: Lynne Sladky/AP

The San Antonio Spurs' players, including Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, leave the court dejected Photograph: Steve Mitchell/AP

James holds the MVP Trophy as he and his team-mates celebrate their latest title Photograph: Joe Skipper/Reuters

The confetti rains down as the Miami Heat pose for photos Photograph: Larry W. Smith/EPA

Wade tries to make 'angels' with the confetti Photograph: Rhona Wise/EPA

James speaks at the winners' press conference Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Norris Cole carries the trophy as the celebrations continue off the court Photograph: Wilfredo Lee/AP

Fans take to the streets in celebration Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images