Heat vs. Bulls: Game-by-game breakdown

Staff Writer Ira Winderman looks back at the Miami Heat’s three-game season series against the Chicago Bulls:

GAME 1: Jan 15 at United Center

Bulls 99, Heat 96: The timing was off for the Heat from the start, with this the final stop of a grueling five-game trip that took the Heat to the West Coast and ended with LeBron James sidelined from this game with an ankle sprain. Factor in a late-game ankle sprain for Chris Bosh, and it proved too much for Dwyane Wade to overcome, despite his 12 fourth-quarter points. In a season series of defining plays, this one was decided by a Kyle Korver 3-pointer with 25.5 seconds left.

GAME 2: Feb. 24 at United Center

Bulls 93, Heat 89: This time it was a tiebreaking 3-pointer from Bulls forward Luol Deng with 16 seconds left that decided it, after Dwyane Wade was drawn into the lane by a driving Derrick Rose, defensive help that was met with a strong glare from teammate LeBron James. It was a game of wild swings, with the Heat going from a nine-point halftime deficit to a nine-point fourth-quarter lead. The story of the game was Heat forward Chris Bosh shooting 1 of 18, defended often by Bulls center Joakim Noah.

GAME 3: March 6 at AmericanAirlines Arena

Bulls 87, Heat 86: After missing the second of two free throws to leave the Bulls down 86-85 with 17.3 seconds to play, Chicago forward Luol Deng was fouled by the Heat’s Mike Miller on the scramble for the offensive rebound, with his ensuing two free throws with 15.9 seconds to play closing the scoring. The Heat then saw LeBron James miss a driving layup and Dwyane Wade a jumper just before the buzzer. Coach Erik Spoelstra said his players shed tears in the locker room afterward, with James vowing not to fail at the finish again.

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