May 15th, 2013 at 11:28 PM
By Ira Luke The
Miami Heat escaped Game 5 with a 94-91 comeback win against the
Chicago Bulls to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. A fast start for the Heat was almost wasted when the
Bulls battled back to take control of the second and third quarters. That was before
Miami put the clamps on defensively and stole the show in the fourth quarter to get the 4-1 series win.
Dwyane Wade left the bench in the third quarter and headed to the locker room to get his knee taped and when he returned in the fourth quarter, he sparked the Heat with six points coming off of two runners and a putback slam to put the exclamation point on the series.
"I had a good couple of minutes," Wade said. "I knew they've seen a lot of LeBron and Norris. I knew they weren't prepared for me to attack which is what I was able to do."
LeBron James led Miami with a 23-point-eight assist-seven rebound performance in an exhausting effort in the elimination game. It is his 11th straight game scoring at least 18 points and getting five rebounds and assists in the postseason.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 15th, 2013 at 4:14 AM
By Ira Luke The
Miami Heat have the
Chicago Bulls in a strangle hold as the teams enter Game 5 back in South Florida. Another staggering blow was delivered to the
Bulls’ playoff chances when the Heat took a 3-1 series lead after an 88-65 blowout win.
Miami can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals if they can eliminate the
Bulls on Wednesday night.
LeBron James led the Heat's assault on the Bulls on in Game 4. From the beginning of the game, it was Miami who were the aggressors getting easy baskets and jumping out to an early lead that Chicago could not bounce back from. The Heat had become accustomed to being roughed up by the Bulls' physical play and was expecting nothing less from the Bulls in crucial game.
It was a complete effort from the Heat, both offensively and defensively. They shot almost 50 percent as a team but held the Bulls to a franchise low 65 points in a game and shot under 26 percent from the field. A strong effort like they showed in Game 4 and Miami can get some extra rest if they close it out in Game 5.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 14th, 2013 at 12:20 AM
By Ira Luke
The Miami Heat took advantage of a fatigued Chicago Bulls team and won Game 4 in convincing manner, 88-65 to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Miami is one game away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive season.
LeBron James was the anchor for the Heat's offense leading the team with 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Norris Cole cooled off in Game 4 registering only seven points. Dwyane Wade had another slow night at the office, finishing with only six points on 3 for 10 shooting and four assists. Wade was hobbled when Jimmy Butler made contact with his balky right knee causing him to sit out before returning moments later.
Bosh followed up his monster double-double by scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds and four big blocks. He has been a big reason the Heat have been rolling the past two games and his coach is recognizing that his role is important to the team's success.
"Chris is giving us just what we need. He is giving us great presence at the rim with his rebounding and contesting shots."said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 13th, 2013 at 3:13 AM
By Ira Luke The
Miami Heat look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the
Chicago Bulls when the teams meet for Game 4 on Monday night.
Miami has been engaged in three physical and engaging battles with Chicago. Knowing they have a slim chance to take the series if they lose Game 4, the
Bulls will need more offense to compliment its defense if they want to compete with the Heat.
It was another hard fought win for the Heat in Game 3 taking a 2-1 series lead against the Bulls with 104-94 victory. Chris Bosh finally showed up offensively and was really active on the boards, collecting a career playoff high 19 rebounds. Norris Cole is making his case that he deserves more playing time for his sharpshooting from the outside, hitting three 3-pointers. Cole has been on fire from deep all series going 8 for 8 from 3-point range. His defense on Bulls guard Nate Robinson has been more effective than Mario Chalmers. That could be something for Coach Erik Spoelstra to consider for the remainder of the series.
Read more... Join the Conversation... May 11th, 2013 at 7:58 AM
By Ira Luke
In another hard fought and physical battle, the Miami Heat were able to wrestle Game 3 away from the Chicago Bulls with 104-94 win. The Heat regained home court advantage with the win and needed a huge fourth quarter from LeBron James and a huge double-double from Chris Bosh to get a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
James overcame a sluggish start shooting the basketball but was still able to lead the team down the stretch. He got 12 points in the final frame to finish with 25 points on 6 of 17 shooting. He added eight assists and seven rebounds.
Bosh finally found his stroke and was really aggressive on the boards in aiding Miami to its victory. He had 20 points and a playoff high 19 rebounds. Cole was really effective off the bench getting half of the Heat’s bench points, pouring in 18 points. Wade chipped in 10 points.
"For (Bosh) to have 19 rebounds, and for Norris to come off the bench and defend the way he did against Nate and also contribute offensively," James said. "Those two guys were the reason we won the game."
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