The Chicago Bulls hit some three-pointers to keep the score respectable, but the Miami Heat’s dominance was most evident by the 57% of the 2-point shots they hit to the 32% accuracy they allowed the Bulls while holding them without a 2-point shot for the first 16 minutes of the second half. Dwyane Wade and LeBron James both went 7-12, and Chris Bosh went 6-8 from the floor as the Heat improved to 36-4 on their home court after earning home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Heat appear to be done resting James, Wade and Bosh to let minor injuries heal. Some team will need to beat them at least once at Miami to knock them out of the playoffs.
The Bulls had ended the Heat’s 27-game winning streak in Chicago, but Miami held a steady lead throughout on Sunday en route to a 105-93 win.
The bench that simply kept on winning while the big three rested looks ready to give the Heat a much stronger supporting class for this playoff run then when they took the title in 2012. The modern Dennis Rodman, otherwise known as the tattoo-clad rebounding machine Chris Anderson, put in 15 points as did Mario Chalmers in the win.
More important, the Heat continued to play suffocating defense, not letting the Bulls anywhere near the basket with an open look throughout the second half.
The Heat led only 56-54 at half time, but the Bulls would not hit another 2-point shot until the Heat had stretched the lead to 90-80 and Carlos Boozer was able to put Nate Robinson’s miss back in off an offensive rebound.
It was one of 20 rebounds for Boozer, but he was contested on every move, making only 5 of 14 shots while turning the ball over four times.
James finished with 24 points and Wade with 22.
For the complete AP story on the game, click here.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.