It's not a controlled fire, it's an all-out Heat
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 May 2011
TRAILING narrowly at 78-74 with still 6:34 left to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night, the Chicago Bulls appeared in good shape to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
But just 1 minute and 22 seconds later, things fell apart, quickly and badly. And it evaporated the hopes for a road upset at the American Airlines Arena.
In that brutal stretch, the Bulls missed two field goals, gave up two fouls and surrendered two turnovers, paving the way for Miami's volcano-hot offense to spew a 9-0 run that trampolined the Heat to a 96-85 win.
Instead of being two games away from the NBA Finals, the Bulls are two games closer to elimination as the Heat took a 2-1 lead in this best-of-7 series. Game 4 is Tuesday night at the AAA in Miami.
In a match-up between Chicago's lone star -- MVP Derrick Rose -- versus Miami's Power Trio, the numbers simply added up. One couldn't beat three.
Chris Bosh inflicted the most pain with a game-high 34. Bosh sank 13 of 18 field goals, and he scored everywhere, anywhere ----- dunks, lay-ups, free throws, long and short range jumper, whatever.
LeBron James came thisclose to a triple double -- 22 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. He made a modest 6 of 13 shots, but his breakaway lay-up, which resulted in a 3-point play following a hacking foul from Kyle Corver, put Miami ahead to stay, 87-74.
DESPITE missing 11 shots, Dwyane Wade managed 17 points and 9 rebounds. The double-teams that he commanded created easy opportunities for Miami, which made 34 of 67 shots for a high 50.7 percent clip.
Chicago, on the other hand, couldn't find the ocean from the shore.
The Bulls converted only 32 of 77 field goals, 41.6 percent. They went 5-for-12 from beyond the arc and their free throw struggles continued, 16-for-21. The Bulls finished with 11 turnovers and had way more fouls (24) than assists (16).
And while they won the rebounding battle, 41-32, they didn't hurt Miami on second-chance points because the Bulls were achingly miserable inside the paint ---- 18 of 46.
Derrick Rose labored hard to get every point of the 20 he gathered. He rarely found an open path to the hoop, and when he did, he was met by two or three Heat defenders.
One-against-many, Rose shot 8-for-19 from the field.
Carlos Boozer had his most productive outing, 26 points and 17 rebounds, but Boozer couldn't stop Bosh, either.
Chicago's other forward, 6-foot-11 Joakim Noah, struggled mightily. Dubbed as an "energy guy," Noah had as much juice as a dead battery, tallying just 1 point.
"WE ARE a tough-minded team, tough group of guys and, trust me, we will be right back at it in Game,4" Boozer said.
The Bulls didn't win 62 regular season games by accident. I have no doubt they will come back to fight in Game 4.
But I also believe that winning this series seems a lot tougher now, because it's crystal clear that Chicago doesn't have a consistent and reliable second scorer behind Rose.
And while the Heat has somehow been able to contain Rose, the Bulls don't have any answers to the one thing that baffles them the most ---- Miami's Big Three. (Homer D. Sayson)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025