Bulls at Heat
THE STORY: One of the most hotly anticipated rematches finally hits the hardcourt Sunday when the Chicago Bulls visit the Miami Heat. It's the first meeting between the NBA powerhouses since last season's Eastern Conference final, won by the Heat in five decisive games. Not much changed for either team in the offseason, and both clubs are off to predictably strong starts. The Bulls have the best record in the East, already own a 3 1/2-game lead in the Central Division and are an impressive 8-3 on the road. Chicago is coming off a 107-100 triumph over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks behind a season-high 34 points from reigning MVP Derrick Rose. Sunday marks the kickoff of a marathon nine-game road trip for the Bulls, who won't play again at the United Center until Feb. 14. Their first opponent on the trek may be their toughest, as they encounter a Heat squad finally back at full strength after missing guard Dwyane Wade for six games with an ankle injury. He made an impressive return Friday night, scoring 28 points as the Heat rolled past the New York Knicks 99-89 for their third consecutive victory.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE BULLS (17-4): With mixed martial arts and other activities taking over the United Center for the next two weeks, Chicago faces the longest road trip any team in the league will endure this season. As for Sunday's East final rematch, Rose says it's no big deal. "It's another game because it's the next game," he said. "We're not worried about all the hype. We know that people are going to try to blow it up to be this championship game and all that. But we're not worried about that.
ABOUT THE HEAT (14-5): Wade wasted no time getting back into the swing of things, hammering home an early dunk that showed everyone his ankle is just fine. "I just tried to be aggressive, after being out for a while, one of the best ways to get your rhythm is to attack the basket," he said afterward. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said the club opted to keep Wade out longer than it might have in years past in order to ensure he was completely healthy.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago won all three regular-season meetings in 2010-11.
2. Wade, a Chicago native, averages 22.2 points in 26 career games against the Bulls.
3. Chicago is 11-2 against Eastern Conference foes, while the Heat are 10-2.