Miami Heat Smash Bulls: Highlights from Miami's Convincing Win in Chicago

Final: Heat 85, Chicago 75

MVP: LeBron James (29 PTs, 10 REB, 5 ASS, 12/21 FG). Sure he started off passive but, in a four minute span beginning with 4:28 remaining, LeBron dropped eight points (4-of-5 shooting) and carried his team to victory. What’s amazing is he did it all from the perimeter with Joakim Noah manning the paint. Anyone who says he’s still not clutch should be shot.

X-Factor: Udonis “Lion” Haslem (13 PTS, 5 REB, 5/10 FG, tons of hustle plays). As I mentioned pre-tipoff, a mostly healthy Haslem is more than enough to make an impact. The guy has an insanely high basketball I.Q. and it showed tonight. He even knocked down that sweet mid-range jumper of his, which was simply a bonus.

Beyond the box score: Mike Miller contributed more than his box score suggests (2 PTS, 7 REB, 1/2 FG). Why play him over James Jones tonight? Mike’s intangibles are critical in a series like this where rebounding and hustle plays are exponential. His shot may still be soul searching, but the rest of his game was there.

Stat: Miami held Chicago to 34 percent shooting from the field. That’s getting it done defensively. The only reason Chicago was in the game was because they attempted 14 more shots than the Heat. Miami still needs to cut down on Chicago’s 17 offensive boards, but that’s who this Bulls team is. They’re scrappy, physical, and play at full speed for 48 minutes.

Quote: “I put it all on the line tonight and did whatever it took for our team to win.” – LeBron James

Notes

• Many probably questioned why Mike Bibby was setting ball screens late in the game. The Heat coaching staff made a critical adjustment. By Bibby setting screens instead of the Heat bigs, it allowed LeBron or Dwyane to attack without having to deal with Joakim Noah or another Bulls big man on the perimeter (whoever was defending the screener). A simple yet very smart adjustment.
• Up Next: Sunday night in Miami (8:30 p.m. E.T., TNT)