Chicago, IL (Sports Network) – Luol Deng buried the game-winning three-pointer with 16 seconds left to lift Chicago to a 93-89 decision over Miami at the United Center.
Derrick Rose did nothing to hurt the growing sentiment that he has a strong case for league MVP by scoring 26 points, including two big buckets in the final three minutes, dishing out six assists and grabbing five rebounds.
Rose drove on LeBron James from the foul line and when Dwyane Wade came over to provide help, the point guard found an open Deng in the left corner for the decisive make. Deng finished with 20 points, 10 boards and five assists for the Bulls, who bounced back from a surprise loss in Toronto on Wednesday to win for a fifth time in their last six games.
After James missed a straight-on three-pointer, Kyle Korver hit 1-of-2 at the line with 9.4 seconds to play to make it a four-point spread and seal the win, the eighth straigh on home hardwood for Chicago.
James scored 29 points, on 12-of-21 shooting, hauled in 10 caroms and handed out five assists while Wade provided a game-high 34 points to go along with eight rebounds for the Heat, who have split their first two post-All-Star Game contests.
Chris Bosh, the other member of the “Big Three”, had a miserable night, making 1-of-18 shots en route to scoring seven points. He did have nine rebounds for the Heat, who had claimed six of the previous nine meetings.