DALLAS - The situation couldn't have been more tense. Down by one, tie game, 1.9 seconds left in overtime, Game 5 of the NBA finals, series knotted at two wins apiece.

Somehow, even with the outcome in his hands, Dwyane Wade remained calm.

“That's why we play the game,” he said afterward. “For these moments.”

Wade has had no shortage of moments in these playoffs.

And, as usual, he delivered again Sunday.

His two free throws with that sliver of time remaining capped a 43-point effort, gave the Miami Heat a 101-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks and moved his team within one game of winning the NBA championship.

With that, another chapter was added to the rapidly burgeoning legacy of the Heat's superstar guard.

“That's D. Wade. We've seen it all season long,” Heat forward James Posey said. “He's been able to come through. Put the ball in his hands and you've got to like our chances.”

Simple enough. And the plan has Miami closer than ever to a title, with Wade leading at every turn.

Start with Game 5 of the Eastern Conference opening round against Chicago. Series tied at 2-2, Wade gets hurt, the Heat fall behind midway through the third quarter and the Bulls seem poised to land a knockout blow. But Wade returns, sore hip and all, leads the comeback and Miami advances in six games.