Bulls Get Burned By Heat

The Miami Heat went over the Chicago Bulls last night in Game 5 of their series 94-91.   With this win the Heat knock the Bulls out of the playoffs, winning the series 4-1.

LeBron James scored 23 points and Dwyane Wade, who was questionable with a bruised knee at the start of the game, put up 18 points.  Carlos Boozer led the bulls with 26 points and 14 rebounds.

Despite the the Heat winning in five, this series seemed a lot closer than what it appears on paper.  The Bulls fought hard till the final seconds.

“It is sort of the story of the season,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said.  “I told these guys this yesterday. Obviously, we’re disappointed in losing the series, but I was never disappointed in the team. I thought our team fought hard all year long.”

Chicago had two opportunities to tie the game as the clock wound down.  Both Richard Hamilton and Jimmy Butler each missed three pointers that could have forced an overtime.

It was a back and forth game.  The Heat went on an early run in the first to get an 18 point lead.  Just when it seemed the the Heat had the Bulls number, Chicago stormed back to go up by 11 as the first half ended.  The Heat would then catch back up, going on a 10-2 run late in the third.  The Heat then held the Bulls to just 14 points and 6 for 18 on shooting in the fourth and go on to get the victory.

The Bulls were without both Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich in this game.  Of course,  Derrick Rose was also still absent.  The Bulls have struggled to stay healthy all post season.

“It’s a shame,” Heat coach Erick Spoelstra said.  “I think everybody wanted to see both teams healthy. You survive and move on .”

The Heat will now go on to play the winner of the New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers series in the Eastern Conference Finals.