Miami Heat edge out the Chicago Bulls in a 97 – 93 thriller – NBA Recap (Part 1)
Last year's Eastern Conference finalists, Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls met in a tense atmosphere at the American Airlines Arena tonight, 29 January, 2012. After an engaging battle the home side came out on top 97 – 93 but it wasn’t without some late game drama.
Miami Heat super star had insisted before the game that the hype notwithstanding, both sets of players will be taking the game in their stride.
"We hope the fans are excited about the game, but as far as the most-hyped game (of the season so far), I don't think so," James said. "We enjoy it. We've got those types of guys who love the big stage, if that's what you want to call it. It's going to be a good game. We're looking forward to the challenge and I know they are as well."
And quite a challenge it was.
The Heat and the Bulls have become fierce rivals since last season when they met in the Eastern Conference Finals and it’s a rivalry that looks set to endure for years to come. In the first instalment of said contest this season, Miami looked just a little stronger and got a little help from lady luck to seal the win.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was pleased with the effort his team put in to get the victory but also lauded the Chicago Bulls for an exemplary display.
"It was a highly contested basketball game/ We did a lot of good things throughout the course of the game. You have to give those guys (Bulls) a lot of credit. At the end, they stepped up their defence."
The Bulls were unlucky to miss out in the final moments of the game after fighting back to get a shot at winning it. They were, of course, led by the indomitable Derrick Rose. Chicago’s super star point guard scored 34 points, had 6 assists and grabbed 6 boards.
Other than Rose, Richard Hamilton, Carlos Boozer and Ronnie Brewer reached double figures for scoring while Joakim Noah had a double-double with 11 points and 11 boards.
The Bulls fought valiantly at the home of their rivals and despite going down 18 – 7 in the first period, fought back to end the quarter behind by just 2 points at 24 – 22.
Chicago levelled the scores right at the start of the next period with a Brewer dunk. Miami however weren’t prepared to concede their advantage so easily. A LeBron James hook shot started the 11 – 0 burst for Miami, which was capped by Chris Bosh, to get a double digit advantage.
Miami kept on hitting the Bulls hard but Chicago just refused to go away, hanging on and chipping away at the deficit to end the quarter behind by just 5 at 56 – 51.
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