The Miami Heat look to end their short road trip with another victory, this time visiting the United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls. In the last two games against Miami, the Bulls came up victorious. With the Heat on a winning streak, they would look to secure a victory of their own.
The Bulls started the game on a nine to two run, led by Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, and Paul Zipser. Rodney McGruder ended the Bulls’ scoring run, which led to a twelve to nothing run for the Heat. With Miami 29 to 17, Chicago went on a seven to four run to close out the quarter with Miami leading 33 to 24.
Chicago went on a 19 to 2 run, led by Zipser, McDermott, Cristiano Felicio, and Dwyane Wade. After a three-pointer from Dion Waiters, Felicio would tie the game at 40 for the Bulls. With the Bulls leading 45 to 42, Miami would manage to tie the game at 53 by the end of the second quarter.
Throughout the third quarter, Miami would go on a 21 to 5 run, led by Ellington, Luke Babbitt, Reed, Waiters, and Dragic. Chicago would have some scoring from Felicio, Rajon Rondo, and Nikolai Mirotic (pronounced Mir-ro-tich) to end the third quarter with a score of 77 to 67.
Chicago picked up from their scoring run in the third quarter, increasing it to a nine to nothing run, until Ellington ended the scoring run for Miami. After a few baskets from Wade, the Heat would go on a seven to nothing run, led by Reed and Okaro White. Miami would increase their scoring run to 20 against five of Chicago’s points. After the Bulls would go on a scoring run of their own, scoring only nine points, the Heat would go on to win the game, 100 to 88.
The Miami Heat have now won six games in a row, as their offense and defense continues to improve. Although Miami didn’t have Hassan Whiteside in their lineup against the Bulls, Willie Reed made up for it by being just as big of a help as Whiteside would be. Another thing that is also helping Miami is their ball movement too.
”That we’re doing it as a team,” he said. ”We’re playing for each other, we’re fighting for each other. Everybody’s feeling comfortable. We know what we need to do. As long as we take care of business with the defense, we feel like can play with anyone.”
For the Heat, Willie Reed had 20 points, Dion Waiters with 19 points, Wayne Ellington with 14 points, and Goran Dragic with a double-double of 26 points and 11 assists.
For the Bulls, Dwyane Wade had 15 points, Paul Zipser and Taj Gibson had 14 points each, and Rajon Rondo with 13 points.
The Heat are back home tonight to face the Detroit Pistons. That game starts at 7:30pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA League Pass.
The Heat Check Magazine 