I can’t help but think, when the Heat finally get this thing figured out, they will win championships almost unstoppably. Until then, they will have to settle for winning close games like this against teams like these Chicago Bulls.
The Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls in overtime Tuesday night 100-93. The game featured numerous momentum changes, and while the Heat led the majority of the way, the Bulls continued to fight to keep the battle evenly matched.
James led the Heat to victory with 35 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Chris Bosh, who led the overtime scoring charge, had 22 points, and Wade had just 14.
For the Bulls, Rose managed 23 points on eight-for-27 shooting, to go along with 3 rebounds and six assists. Rose also had seven turnovers and made one of nine 3-pointers. The Heat defense had him bottled up all night along, with James guarding him almost the entire fourth quarter.
Chicago scrapped, though, and played a very strong defensive game, while spreading out the scoring somewhat. Deng ended with 20 points, and Carlos Boozer mustered 20 as well, while snagging 11 rebounds. Joakim Noah also pulled down 14 rebounds for Chicago, and an uncharacteristic six assists.
In the end, perhaps free throws were one of the most telling factors. Chicago got to the line for just 22 attempts (making 17), while Miami had 38 attempts, sinking 32 of those.
And although Boozer and Deng got 20, down the stretch with the ball in Rose’s hands, Miami’s one-on-one defense was just too tough. The Heat bottled up Derrick Rose so effectively at the end of the game that the Bulls had little in the way of options to respond. You have to imagine the Bulls front office will be hitting the phones hard this summer to get their MVP some help.
Game 5 is Thursday evening in Chicago, where the Heat will try to earn a trip to the finals — expect a fight.
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