Luol Deng Sinks Three-Pointer to Lift Bulls over Heat

By Justin Worsley,

Luol Deng sank a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to break an 89-89 tie as the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat.

Miami had a big game out of both LeBron James (29 points, 10 rebounds) and Dwyane Wade (34 points, eight rebounds,) however, their third big man stuggled. Chris Bosh ended a four-game 20-point streak after going 1-for-18 from the field and only managing to score seven points.

The Heat bounced back from an early 7-2 deficit by going on a 13-2 run which began with back-to-back dunks by James. Miami continued to pressure Chicago, relying on fast break points and perimeter shooting to pad their lead. Miami led by as much as 11 until the Bulls rallied back in the third quarter, going on a 15-2 run with Deng scoring eight points. During the run, Wade was given a technical foul for arguing with an official.

Ronnie Brewer made a jumper to put the Bulls up 80-71, their largest lead of the night, until the Heat rallied back. Wade and James combined for the first 24 points by the Heat to start the second half until Bosh made a pair of free throws halfway through the fourth quarter.

With the entire Bulls defense focused on Wade, the shooting guard found a wide open Mario Chalmers, who calmly made a three-pointer to put the Heat back up 82-80.

Chicago responded with a three-pointer of their own when Kyle Korver made one from beyond the arc to begin a 9-0 run which put the Bulls back in the lead until James drew a foul on Derrick Rose after making an eight-foot jumper. James made the free throw to tie the game.

Rose dished the ball to Deng, who was left alone outside the arc to sink the Heat.

Chicago was able to keep the game close due to their control of the glass. The Bulls out-rebounded Miami 53-39 and their bench outscored Miami's 22-2. Wade and James combined for 63 points.

The win clinches the best of three series for Chicago, who also bested Miami 99-96 on Jan. 15.