Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls (108 - 95) March 12, 2010

Jermaine O'Neal scores 25 points and Quentin Richardson adds 23 as the Heat defeat the Bulls.

Heat jump into 7th in East, hand Bulls 7th straight loss


By Chris Perkins, for NBA.com
Posted Saturday March 13, 2010 12:00AM
MIAMI (NBA.com exclusive) -- You figured it would eventually get ugly between the Miami and Chicago, two teams with a bitter playoff history in recent years. Things did get a bit ugly with about five minutes left in the Heat's 108-95 victory on Friday.

In the span of about three minutes of real time (no time ticked off the game clock), Bulls center Brad Miller picked up a flagrant foul and a technical foul, and guard Kirk Hinrich got two technical fouls and an automatic ejection.

The posturing didn't end until about 30 minutes after the game when Heat superstar Dwyane Wade said Miller needs to "stop crying."

It was just another chapter in the colorful history between the Heat and Bulls, a rivalry that got going in 2006 and 2007 with two contentious playoff meetings that included hard playoff fouls, ejections and a few stare-downs. Since then there have been plenty of incidents, including a 2007 episode in which Hinrich, a known Wade tormentor, allegedly grabbed Wade's wrist and injured him, causing Wade to miss four games.

"It wasn't a pretty game all the way through," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "but at least we're learning how to grind out some of these games and come away with the most important thing, and that's the win."

There wasn't much scoreboard drama in this game. Miami led by double digits almost the entire second half. Chicago cut its deficit to 84-77 with about six minutes left but Miami regained control and won fairly comfortably.

The Heat (34-32, .515), who have won five consecutive home games, are now in seventh place in the East, just behind No. 6 Charlotte (33-31, .516) and just ahead of No. 8 Toronto (32-31).

Chicago (31-34), which is now on a seven-game losing streak, remains in the ninth spot.

This streak could get extended for the Bulls. Chicago is off until Tuesday when it visits scrappy Memphis. It visits red-hot Dallas on Wednesday, then hosts Cleveland, the Eastern Conference's top seed.

Overall, the Bulls have 17 games remaining, 12 of those are against teams with a winning record, and eight of the 17 games are on the road, where Chicago is 12-21 and on a four-game losing streak. The Bulls might be watching their playoff hopes slip away.

"Obviously, we're frustrated with the way we've played," Miller said. "Two weeks ago is a different story. Obviously, guys are frustrated."

The Heat were led by center Jermaine O'Neal (season-high 25 points) doing work inside and forward Quentin Richardson (23 points on the strength of seven 3-pointers) doing work outside. Wade (22 points on 7-for-16 shooting, seven assists, six turnovers) had his difficulties against Hinrich, which is usual, but he ended with a strong performance.

Chicago was led by guard Jannero Pargo, forward James Johnson (20 points apiece), Miller (18 points, 11 rebounds) and guard Flip Murray (15 points).

But the Bulls were without three starters -- guard Derrick Rose (left wrist), center Joakim Noah (foot) and forward Luol Deng (calf). Rose and Deng might be back for Tuesday's game at Memphis. Noah is likely out another two or three weeks.

Miami was without forward Michael Beasley (bruised thigh), forward Dorell Wright (suspension for DUI) and guard Rafer Alston, who was put on suspension for the balance of the season Friday. Alston didn't show up to practice after being benched last week and still hasn't contacted team officials other than a single text message.

As for the fourth-quarter fireworks, it culminated when Miller got hit with a flagrant foul against Wade. Miller, whose Bulls were trailing 90-77 with 4:43 left, maintains he was simply standing there and Wade ran into him. Then he got hit with a technical foul for complaining.

"I was leading the league in flagrant fouls with Ron Artest in Indiana back in the day," Miller said. "I know what their definition of one is...The situation definitely, I was up against the odds in that scenario for sure."

After Wade finished the two free throws associated with Miller's infractions, Hinrich protested and got two technicals, earning an automatic ejection. Hinrich also appeared to make contact with referee Bennie Adams, which could result in a suspension.

Chicago coach Vinny Del Negro said the contact was accidental.

"There was contact but it was because the referee stopped right in front of him," Del Negro said. "That's all it was."

Either way, Wade didn't want to hear anyone complaining about anything.

Category:

Sports

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• 2010

[alphyc]

@KINGJHOODthabest lol i wanna see what you have to say now

[kingike25319]

@thedevilwithin2010 12 game winning streak, and better record then bulls with them losing to the clippers..... i say a good day to be a heat fan lol!

[thedevilwithin2010]

@kingike25319 How bout them Heat and their fail ass "Big 3"?

[kingike25319]

@KINGJHOODthabest lol how about them bulls when boozer is out for 8 weeks? lol!

[KINGJHOODthabest]

ha never say never cuz it can happen agin remeember bk in 07 playoffs when the bulls swept tha miami heat that year ha yall call yall selfs sum champions fuck heat they aint on shit so will see n + i wanna see the heat try to go after the bulls best record aint gonna beat it not gonna happen dez days sry 4 yall + east & west got better so will see watz gonna happen GO BULLS

[livedj305]

@KINGJHOODthabest huhhhhhhhhh just name somebody thats better than our three compared to your some what good players. i got to say yall look goood right now but there is no way in heaven or hell dat yu gone beat miami like really

[KINGJHOODthabest]

@livedj305 4 real man i could care less bout lebron or bosh fuck they ass & dwade 2. watch & see watz gonna happen hell u dnt know shid bulls might juz kill the heat this year u 4 got heat aint the only 1 made big moves shit u open yr eyes bitches & hoes & trust me the bulls gonna be running with the celtics 4 dat 3 or 2nd spot trust me + DROSE & NOAH GETTIN BETTER NO STOPIN THE YOUNG BULLS

[livedj305]

@KINGJHOODthabest huhhhhhhhhh another fuckin sorry ass chicago fan aka heat hater its okay if you guys cant keep up with L.A orlando and celtics i mean come on man stop sleppin wake up yu really got yo eys closed on the heat how we woppin yall asses with only d-wade and a little bit of support now just imagine what lebron and chirs gonna do on one team wake up lil man

[KINGJHOODthabest]

@livedj305 fuck heat they aint on shit if they do make it to tha final kobe gonna kick ther ass. bulls way better then heat 

[livedj305]

chicago fuckin sucks miami heat all the way bitches and hoes