Bulls Defend Home Court, Rout the Heat

The Chicago Bulls, the team with the younger legs, hustle and even more desire routed the Miami Heat 107-89 to take a 2-0 advantage in a best of 7 series. From the outset, Miami came out with more desire and focus than they showed in game one and tried to push the issue but the Bulls hot shooting would have none of it.

Shaq scored the first points of the game when he was fouled by Wallace. The refs and the league heard Shaq complain the last couple of days so they gave him one on that one. The Bulls closed the quarter with Nocioni scoring 7 points in less than 11 seconds, including a quarter ending three. The Bulls led, 31-21 after 1.

Miami made a run in the second quarter and that was expected. I mean after all, they are the world champs. They outscored the Bulls 31-24. At one point during the comeback, Steve Kerr said, "It's nervous time for the Bulls." I begged to differ. Good teams make runs and good teams answer. The game was tied at 48-48 and the Bulls went on to take a 55-52 First half lead.

Before the second half began, Steve Kerr once again said, "It's Miami's game to win." Again, I didn't see that from what I had been watching. Kapono hurt us in the first half. He hit jumper after jumper and the Bulls had no answer for him. They came out in the second half and buried the Heat! it started with consecutive baskets by Hinrich and Brown, Miami called time. After the timeout, Wallace made back to back blocks. Deng hit jumper to make it 61-52. Wade answered with a two and Gordon scored as well. Kirk hit a 3 to make it 66-55 that was at the 8:46 mark. At that part of the game the Bulls were 7-9 in threes! They were also shooting 54% for the game.
After the time out, Brown scored for the Bulls to make it 68-55. Gordon then came back and hit a 3 and for all practical purposes the game was over. Miami managed to cut it to 9 at one time but the Bulls answered and won by 18.

The Bulls shot 55% for the game. Sixty-five percent in threes! (11-17). They out rebounded Miami 38-30.

Bulls leading scorers were:

1. Gordon 27
2. Deng 26...at one time Luol was 1-7.
3. Hinrich 14
4. Brown and Nocioni 10 each.

The Heat was lead by:

1. Wade 21
2. Shaq 17
3. Kapono, Walker, and Posey 11 each.

It is interesting to note. Gary Payton did not play for the Heat.