Heat at Bulls
THE STORY: LeBron James and Derrick Rose put on a show the first time the top two teams in the Eastern Conference met this season. The Miami Heat won that meeting 97-93 as James had 35 points and 11 rebounds. Rose had 34 points for the Chicago Bulls and will be looking for revenge in Chicago. The Bulls have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Heat in the battle for the top record in the East.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Sun Sports (Miami), Comcast SportsNet (Chicago)
ABOUT THE HEAT (31-10): Miami opened a three-game road swing against Eastern Conference heavyweights by losing 104-98 in overtime to the Orlando Magic. The Heat were just 2 for 11 from the field in the extra session with all four of their points being scored by Dwyane Wade. Amazingly, Wade hit two 3-pointers in the contest after making just three all season entering the game. Wade scored 28 points for the second straight game. Miami plays in Philadelphia on Friday before returning home for a rematch with the Magic on Sunday.
ABOUT THE BULLS (35-9): Rose had a hectic off day Tuesday. He was fined $25,000 by the NBA for criticizing an officiating crew and was later involved in a minor car accident. Rose was not injured in the crash. Rose bashed the officials after Chicago defeated the New York Knicks on Monday. Rose scored 32 points but was unhappy that he attempted just nine free throws. “I’ve got to be the only superstar in the league that’s going through what I’m going through right now,” Rose said. “But I can’t say too much about it. How many times did I shoot today? And I’m the point guard.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago won all three regular-season meetings last season but Miami knocked the Bulls out of the playoffs in five games in the Eastern Conference finals.
2. Heat forward Mike Miller (ankle) missed the Orlando contest and is questionable to play against Chicago.
3. Bulls forward Luol Deng (wrist) is expected to return after a two-game absence.