Bulls Vs. Heat: Led By LeBron James, Miami Escapes With Four-Point Win Over Chicago And Derrick Rose

Update

Bulls Vs. Heat Recap: LeBron James And Heat Hold On For Four-Point Win Over Chicago

The Miami Heat improved to 15-5 on Sunday afternoon with a 97-93 win over the Chicago Bulls. Considered by many to be a clash between the league's top two teams, Miami was led by the brilliance of LeBron James. James finished with 35 points and countered the furious charges from Derrick Rose and the Bulls. Rose would finish with 34 points of his own, in a classic game between two of the league's best.

After both James and Rose missed four consecutive free-throws in the final thirty seconds, a jump ball was ruled on an inadvertent whistle. The Heat controlled the jump and Mario Chalmers made only one of two from the charity stripe. Down two with the ball, Rose missed a floater in the lane to tie which would seal the win for Miami. It was a chaotic final minute, but despite a series of stagnant offensive posessions, the Heat held on for the four-point win.

Early in the fourth, James drilled a fadeaway as the shot clock expired to put add some cushion to the Heat's lead. Video of the amazing shot below:

Via @Jose3030:

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Miami, visit SB Nation's Heat blog, Peninsula Is Mightier. For the perspective from the other side, visit SB Nation Chicago and SB Nation's Bulls blog, Blog A Bull. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.

Jan 29 6:19p by Brendan Porath

Update

Bulls Vs. Heat Score Update: Derrick Rose Has Big Third Quarter But Miami Maintains Five-Point Lead

Th Miami Heat maintained their lead over the Chicago Bulls after three quarters of play at American Airlines Arena, holding a 76-71 advantage. The Bulls and Tom Thibodeau made some adjustments on the offensive end and Derrick Rose took it right at the Heat's defense. Rose scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter to keep Chicago right there in it.

LeBron is keeping pace with Rose, however, and has 24 points and seven rebounds over the first 36 minutes. Chris Bosh has added 20 points in support of James, who continues to add to the highlight reel with Dwyane Wade. In the third, he chased down an errant pass, saving it along the sideline and hitting Wade for a breakaway dunk Video of the save below:

Via @Jose3030:

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Miami, visit SB Nation's Heat blog, Peninsula Is Mightier. For the perspective from the other side, visit SB Nation Chicago and SB Nation's Bulls blog, Blog A Bull. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.

5:30p by Brendan Porath

Update

Bulls Vs. Heat Score Update: Led By LeBron James, Miami Takes A 56-51 Lead At Half

The Miami Heat took a five-point lead over the Chicago Bulls at halftime of their Sunday showcase game on ABC. Led by a highlight-filled first half from LeBron James, the Heat held on for a 56-51 lead after 24 minutes. James finished with 17 points, including several alley-oop dunks from close friend and fellow superstar Dwyane Wade.

Wade is playing in just his second game after sitting out two weeks with an ankle injury. He had an instant impact on Friday against the Knicks, and carried that over to Sunday's game against Chicago, connecting with James on a series of alley-oops. Wade finished with a game-high seven assists, but was just one of nine from the floor for six points. Chris Bosh, who can get lost in the James-Wade show, added 14 points and six rebounds.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Miami, visit SB Nation's Heat blog, Peninsula Is Mightier. For the perspective from the other side, visit SB Nation Chicago and SB Nation's Bulls blog, Blog A Bull. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.

4:44p by Brendan Porath

The Beach Bucket

VIDEO: LeBron James Jumps Over John Lucas III For Alley-Oop Dunk From Dwyane Wade

by Brendan Porath

This weekend, LeBron James certainly seems to be re-energized on the floor with the return of friend and fellow superstar Dwyane Wade. Wade had been out two weeks with an ankle injury, but returned on Friday night for the Heat's game against the New York Knicks. He made his presence felt immediately, racing up and down the floor with James to put on a continuous highlight show of alley-oop dunks.

That show carried over to Sunday's showcase game against the Chicago Bulls. Wade connected with James on a few first quarter highlight alley-oops, perhaps none more impressive than a lob to a baseline cutting James who jumped up and over Chicago guard John Lucas III slam it home.

Video of the incredible dunk after the jump.

4:16p

Update

Bulls Vs. Heat: LeBron James Dominates First Quarter With An Array Of Alley-Oop Dunks

In a battle between two of the NBA's best teams, the Miami Heat took a 24-22 lead over the Chicago Bulls after one quarter at American Airlines Arena. In just his second game back, Dwyane Wade once again set the tone early with LeBron James as the duo raced up and down the floor to connect on a series of thrilling alley-oop dunks. As was the case Friday against New York, the two seemed to put on a continuous highlight show over the first 12 minutes. One highlight was an impressive touch-pass alley-oop from Wade to James, who brought it down with two hands. Video of the alley-oop below:

Via @Jose3030:

Later in the quarter, James went up and over John Lucas III for an incredible baseline jam.

Via @Jose3030:

James leads all scorers with 12 points through the first 12 minutes, a majority of it coming on alley-oop dunks. On the other end, Dwyane Wade has a game-high five assists, with James finishing off most of those passes.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on Miami, visit SB Nation's Heat blog, Peninsula Is Mightier. For the perspective from the other side, visit SB Nation Chicago and SB Nation's Bulls blog, Blog A Bull. For news and notes from around the league, be sure to follow SB Nation's NBA hub.

4:05p by Brendan Porath

Original Story

Chicago Bulls Visit Miami Heat: Game 20 Preview

The Miami Heat will be hosting the Chicago Bulls at the American Airlines Arena in Miami tonight. It's the first of four meetings this season between the two teams, and the first of two they will play in Miami. The Heat are 8-2 at home, while Chicago has an 8-3 road record. For Miami, this is the second game of a three game homestand. The Heat beat the New York Knicks, 99-89 on Thursday and go on to face the New Orleans Hornets tomorrow. For the Bulls, this is the first game of a NINE game roadtrip. They play the Washington Wizards tomorrow night, and go on to face the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks, the Milwaukee Bucks, the New Jersey Nets, the New Orleans Hornets, the Charlotte Bobcats and the Boston Celtics before returning home on Valentine's Day.

This is the first time the two teams have met since last seasons Eastern Conference Championship. Miami won, four games to one as LeBron James led the Heat by averaging 25.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game. Chris Bosh added 23.2 points with 7.6 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade scored 18.8 with 6.4 rebounds. Chicago was paced by Jalen Rose and his 23.4 points and 6.6 assists per game. Luol Deng added 17.2 with seven rebounds, Carlos Boozer scored 14.4 with 10.2 rebounds, and Joakim Noah pitched in six points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

NBA Playoffs 2011: Miami Heat Vs Chicago Bulls Game 5 Highlights (4-1) Miami Won The Series (via NBAHiighlights)

Miami beat the New York Knicks on Friday night in Florida, 99-89. LeBron James scored 31 with eight rebounds and seven assists. Dwayne Wade returned after missing nine total games to score 28 points, four assists and five steals. Bill Walker paced the Knicks coming off the bench to grab seven rebounds and score 21 on seven of 10 shooting from beyond the arc. Eric Spoelstra knows what the Knicks are going through, as he was in a similar circumstance at the beginning of last season:

"You really just have to get comfortable playing with each other," he said, "to understand your strengths of each player, to be able to each be aggressive and yet play off each other and make each other better and also get the other guys involved. For us, that took some time last year, where we feel much more comfortable this season."

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat game recap 89-99 1/28/2012 Wade & Lebron 59 points! (via SuperLebron6Heat)

The Bulls beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Chicago on Friday, 107-100. Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 34, Carlos Boozer scored 20 with 13 boards, and Joakim Noah scored 15 with 16 rebounds. Brandon Jennings scored 25 for the Bucks, and Drew Gooden added 23 with 15 rebound and six assists. After scoring 16 in the first quarter, Rose limited Jennings to nine points through the rest of the game.

"I was going to attack no matter what," Rose said. "I was talking to Thibs before in the shootaround. He was just telling me to attack. He didn't know that Rip wasn't going to play. He was just telling me to go out there and play the way I normally play."

NBA CIRCLE - Milwaukee Bucks Vs Chicago Bulls Highlights Jan 27, 2012 Game Recap (via NBACIRCLE)

Game Time: 3:30 EST

Season Series: 0-0

All-Time Series: 37-47

Last Five:

Miami: W- L - W - W - W

New York: W - W - W - L - W

Standings:

Miami Heat: 14-5, first in the Southeast Division, second in the Eastern Conference, tied with for third in the NBA, on pace for 49-17.

Chicago Bulls: 17-4, first in the Central Division, first in the Eastern Conference, second in the NBA, on pace for 53-13.

Starting Lineups:

Miami Heat:

PG - Mario Chalmers

SG - Dwyane Wade

SF - LeBron James

PF - Chris Bosh

C - Joel Anthony

Udonis Haslem has a cracked rib, but is expected to play through it.

Chicago Bulls:

PG - Derrick Rose

SG - Kyle Korver

SF - Ronnie Brewer

PF - Carlos Boozer

C - Joakim Noah

Luol Deng recently tore a ligament in his wrist, and is not expected to appear in today's game.

"It's a day-by-day thing. I would say right now probably a week away maybe more," Deng said Friday. "It's hard to tell. It's definitely a bad injury, but I really believe I will be back soon and doing everything."

--------------------------------------------------------------

Common Thread:

Miami's backup center Eddy Curry played his first 289 games over four NBA seasons with the Bulls, averaging 12 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes per game.

Team Milestones:

Miami:

One more free throw will move LeBron James past Willie Burton into 12th, with 637.

44 minutes for Mario Chalmers will move him past Jamal Mashburn into 16th, with 6,602. Three more 3-pointers will put him at 310, passing Dwyane Wade into sixth. 12 more assists will move him past Jason Williams into 11th, with 917

James Jones needs four more 3-pointers to pass James Posey into 13th, with 215.

One more block will put Udonis Haslem in 11th with 185, passing Brian Grant.

Four more steals will give franchise record holder Dwyane Wade 1,000 for his career.

Chicago:

12 more free throws for Derrick Rose will move him into 19th, passing Dave Corzine with 1,021. With 11 more assists, he will move past B.J. Armstrong into 11th, with 1,742.

With one more block, Taj Gibson will pass Ben Wallace into 17th, with 237.

Team Leaders: (minimum half of team games played)

PPG:

MIAMI:

LeBron James, 29.2

Chris Bosh, 21.2

Dwyane Wade, 20.4

RPG:

Udonis Haslem, 8.6

LeBron James, 8.0

Chris Bosh, 7.8

APG: