Bulls shock Heat in East series opener

Source:Agencies-Global Times Published: 2013-5-7 22:18:01

Nate Robinson (No.2) of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Miami Heat on Monday. Photo: CFP
Nate Robinson (No.2) of the Chicago Bulls goes to the basket against the Miami Heat on Monday. Photo: CFP

Nate Robinson scored the go-ahead jump shot with 1:18 left on Monday as the Chicago Bulls scored the final 10 points en route to a 93-86 win over reigning champions Miami in the opener of their NBA playoff series.

Robinson, who was bloodied in the first half after a collision with LeBron James, carried the visiting Bulls on his back down the stretch by scoring the final seven points to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Robinson finished with 27 points and nine assists for the injury-riddled Bulls, who had snapped the Heat's 27-game winning streak during the regular season and handed them their first loss in their last 13 games on Monday.

Robinson played with 10 stitches in his mouth after hitting his face on floor. He left the game to get medical attention but returned later.

James had 22 of his 24 points in the second half for Miami, which lost its third game in its last 44 going back to February 3.

The Heat, who had been idle for the past week, looked rusty down the stretch.

The Bulls bottled up James late in the fourth as they appear to have developed a formula this season for beating the mighty Heat. The Bulls finished the contest on a 10-0 run.

Chicago ended Miami's 27-game winning streak, which was the second longest in league history. After that regular-season loss, James complained about the Bulls' physical play, especially the defense of Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson.

James didn't have to contend with injured Hinrich on Monday, but he did have his hands full with the rest of the Bulls' balanced attack.

On top of missing Hinrich and injured former MVP Derrick Rose, Luol Deng also didn't play against Miami with complications from a spinal tap procedure.

Deng, 28, underwent the spinal tap last week to rule out meningitis.

Injuries aside, the Bulls showed their depth as five players finished in double figures, including forward Gibson who came off the bench to score 12 points.

Jimmy Butler had 21 points and 14 rebounds, while Joakim Noah added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who held a commanding 46-32 advantage on the glass and a 17-8 edge in second-chance points.

The trio of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh combined for just 12 points in the opening half, their lowest first-half total of the season.

Also on Monday, Manu Ginobili's three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left lifted San Antonio to a 129-127 double overtime win over Golden State as the Spurs rallied from a 16-point deficit in the fourth to win the series opener.

Ginobili's late heroics capped a furious comeback by the Spurs and spoiled a 44-point performance from Warriors' Stephen Curry.

The Spurs fell behind 104-88 with 4:31 left in the fourth before storming back to force overtime. They wiped out the 16-point deficit with an 18-2 run to close the fourth quarter.

In the second overtime, Ginobili found himself left wide open on the left side. He nailed the three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left after taking a cross-court pass from teammate Kawhi Leonard.

Ginobili had missed seven consecutive shots before draining the game winner.

Curry put on a shooting clinic during one 3-minute stretch in the third. He scored 12 unanswered points for Golden State who built an 18-point lead. Curry had 22 of his 44 points in the third quarter.

Golden State's Kent Bazemore converted on a driving layup under the basket to give the Warriors a one-point lead with four seconds left in the second overtime. But instead of holding up, it set the stage for Ginobili's game winner.

Agencies - Global Times



Posted in: Basketball

blog comments powered by Disqus