SAN ANTONIO (REUTERS) - Boosted by a 35-point performance from LeBron James, the defending champion Miami Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 98-96 in the NBA Finals on Sunday to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

The Heat trailed 93-92 but scored the next six points to take a 98-93 lead. A three-point shot by the Spurs' Manu Ginobili at the final buzzer ended the scoring.

Showing no effects from the leg cramps that forced him to sit out most of the fourth quarter of Game One, James hit 14 of 22 shots, including all three from beyond the arc, and had a team-leading 10 rebounds.

The series now shifts to Miami for the next two games. Game Three is on Tuesday at the American Airlines Arena.