LeBron James is still feeling the effects of muscle cramps the forced him to the bench twice in the final minutes of the Miami Heat's 104-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. But he expects to be play Thursday night in Game 5 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, when he has a chance to clinch his first NBA title.

''I feel a lot better than i did last night. That's clear,'' James said Wednesday. ''I'm able to walk up here [the interview-room podium] even better than I did [Tuesday] night when I talked to you guys.

''I'm still a little sore because of the muscles just kind of being at an intense level, very tight. I was able to get some treatment last night [and] this morning.

James said he planned to use Wednesday as a rest day. ''And with the game being basically at midnight [9 p.m. Miami time], I have all day tomorrow, too, to prepare. I should be fine by [Thursday] night.''