Heat vs. Bulls: Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Grades

The Chicago Bulls improved on the league's best record by taking down the mighty Miami Heat, 106-102.

The win improved the Bulls' record to 36-9 and gives them a 3.5 game lead over the Heat in the Eastern Conference. 

This marquee matchup was waged without one of its biggest attractions. Derrick Rose was forced to sit out this game with a groin injury, which makes the win all the more impressive for the Bulls.  

Tweets of the Night

ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell adds some nice perspective to the Bulls' spectacular first half.

"

Given the circumstances without Rose and a hobbled Watson, Bulls played one of their best halves in a long time. Lead Heat by 11 at half.

— Nick Friedell (@ESPNChiBulls) March 15, 2012"

ESPN's basketball guru John Hollinger was very impressed with the Bulls' play without Derrick Rose. How impressed you ask? Well...

"

Amazing how much better Bulls look with Lucas at point than Rose. #anygivenday

— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) March 15, 2012"

*Important note: He was being sarcastic.

Must-See Pic of the Night

As an added bonus, you want to see how the Bulls fans feel about King James? 

That's how. Thanks to Mike Hlebasko for posting the pic. 

Grades for Key Heat Players

LeBron James: B+

LeBron played a nice game. He was efficient and active, but he couldn't make the plays to push his team over the hump. He finished with 35 points on 14-of-25 shooting. 

Dwyane Wade: B+

Wade had an outstanding game, but just like James, he was never able to give his team the spark they needed to get over the hump. He finished with 36 points on an efficient 16-of-26 shooting night. 

Chris Bosh: D

Bosh's shot was off all night, and he was virtually non-existent on the boards. He had just 12 points on a bad 3-of-15 shooting. He also only pitched in three boards. 

Grades for Key Bulls Players

Carlos Boozer: C+

Boozer's shot was off, and he was a disaster on offense. However, he gets a solid grade because he was decent with eight boards and was not horrible on defense against Chris Bosh. These are two areas the Bulls would desperately love him to improve upon. He also pitched in five assists. 

Luol Deng: C-

Deng was out of rhythm and could never get his shot going. He ended with 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. 

Joakim Noah: C+ 

Noah was his usual solid self on defense. However, he had a subpar night on the boards with just six rebounds. He was 5-of-10 from the field and had 14 points.

Stat of the Night: 31-2

That is what the Bulls bench outscored the Heat bench by in the first half. The bench domination continued throughout the game, but it was this first-half domination that set the tone for the entire game.

And it was our MVP that came off the bench that was the leading tone setter. 

Game MVP: John Lucas III

When everyone was getting ready to watch this epic showdown, the first name that came to mind was John Lucas III. Oh wait, no it wasn't. A little-used player like him is not supposed to impact a game like he did, let alone take it over. 

That is exactly what Lucas did though. With Rose out and his backup CJ Watson less than 100 percent, he was forced into a big role, and he delivered. He made clutch play after clutch play, and the little guard even drilled a nice fade away over King James for a big bucket late in the fourth quarter. 

He also sealed off the game for good with two free throws to give the Bulls a four-point lead with six seconds to play. 

He ended with 24 points on a sterling 9-of-12 from the field. 

What's Next? 

The Heat will hop on a plane, take a day off and battle the 76ers in Philadelphia on Friday. That will be the third and final game of their current road trip. 

The Bulls get to take a day off at home and will host the Blazers. That will be the fifth game of their current six-game home stand.