Heat at Bulls
THE STORY: The Chicago Bulls have been one of the NBA's stingiest clubs all season long, and that defensive prowess was on display in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final. The Bulls limited Miami's high-powered offense to 34 second-half points in a 103-82 win that established Chicago as the team to beat in the series. The clubs tangle again in Game 2 Wednesday night at the United Center.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE BULLS: Chicago was one of the only teams in the NBA who had little trouble handling the Heat in the regular season, and that dominance extended into Game 1 of their best-of-seven. The Bulls overcame an early eight-point deficit with emphasis, keeping Dwyane Wade and LeBron James off-balance for most of the night while crushing Miami on the offensive glass by a 19-6 margin. League MVP Derrick Rose led the way with 28 points while hitting three of Chicago's 10 3-pointers. Luol Deng added four 3-pointers of his own, helping compensate for a bad shooting night from center Joakim Noah.
ABOUT THE HEAT: Aside from Chris Bosh, the Heat looked largely underwhelming in their first game since a five-game whitewash of the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinal. Bosh had 30 points, but cohorts James and Wade shot just 12 for 32 from the field as they struggled to get off quality shots against a persistent Bulls defense. Miami made just three field goals during an 11 1/2-minute stretch of the third and fourth quarters, seeing a one-point lead turn into a 17-point deficit they were unable to erase. Deng limited James to 5 of 15 shooting and will draw the same assignment in Game 2.
WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Bosh enjoyed his best game of the postseason, hitting 12 of 18 attempts and making all six of his free throws. He averaged just 12.8 points against Boston. Noah was ice-cold in Game 1, making just 4 of 14 shots from the field to finish with nine points.
KEY STATISTIC: 16 - The number of Miami turnovers in Game 1. The Heat were a -7 in that department, and will need to take better care of the ball to avoid going back to Miami down 2-0 in the series.
LAST WORD: "We took it on the chin, in virtually all the effort areas. We'll adjust ... Certainly the fistfight under the glass will be a start." - Heat coach Erik Spolestra.