The Bulls and Miami Heat will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a matinee meeting today at the United Center (1:00 p.m. CT | CSN/ESPN Radio 1000). Chicago (29-36) had an opportunity to gain some ground in the playoff race on Wednesday in Milwaukee, but a slow start doomed the Bulls in a 104-88 loss to the Bucks. Andres Nocioni had a career-high 25 points and nine rebounds and Kirk Hinrich added 19 and 12 assists for the Bulls, who shot under 37 percent (30-of-82) and had a two-game winning streak snapped. Miami (43-21), winners of 13 of its last 14 contests, currently holds the Eastern Conference's second-best record behind Detroit. Dwyane Wade scored 30 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 26 as the Heat overcame a 25-point deficit to post a 107-104 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday. Udonis Haslem had 11 points and 11 rebounds and O'Neal grabbed 11 boards for the Heat. In their only other meeting this season to date, Miami posted a 100-97 win over the Bulls in Chicago on Dec. 13. Tune in to watch today's game on Comcast SportsNet Chicago or listen to it on ESPN Radio 1000 (pregame show at 12:30). Visit Bulls.com or click here now for a complete preview of this evening's contest. Probable Bulls Starters Guard 12 Kirk Hinrich 6-3 | 190 Guard 7 Ben Gordon 6-3 | 200 Forward 9 Luol Deng 6-9 | 220 Forward 35 Malik Allen 6-10 | 255 Center 3 Tyson Chandler 7-1 | 235 Probable Heat Starters Guard 55 Jason Williams 6-1 | 180 Guard 3 Dwyane Wade 6-4 | 212 Forward 42 James Posey 6-8 | 217 Forward 40 Udonis Haslem 6-8 | 235 Center 32 Shaquille O'Neal 7-1 | 325 Injury Report Bulls Luol Deng (left eye corneal abrasion) is probable. Chris Duhon (low back pain) is questionable. Darius Songaila (right foot fracture) is out. For a full report and the latest on Bulls' injuries, check out the AthletiCo Injury Report at Bulls.com. Heat Miami has no significant injuries to report. Series Notes Chicago owns a 36-28 lead in the all-time series, including a commanding 21-11 advantage in games played in Chicago ... the Heat has won eight of the last nine meetings, including 11 straight at Miami ...the Heat have scored 100+ points against the Bulls in five straight games, averaging 103.6 ppg, and has topped the century mark against Chicago in seven of the last eight meetings.
Hopefully the Bulls can start out good, and take a lead. Will be a really tough came though since we don't have many big guys that can guard Shaq and Zo. Only Chandler is over 7 and he'll probably be in foul trouble. I won't be able to watch the start though because I have to go get a haircut.
In and out... Held Wade and Shaq out of a big game. But, Wade got to the line a lot. Wade - 15 points, 1-8 FG, 13-13 FT, 10 TO's - Lead the Heat in scoring Shaq - 13 points, 4-12 FG, 5-9 FT, 5 TO's Both also had 5 fouls.
My question is why did deng try to win with a 3? Hes been doing this all season he shoots 3's from that same side and he rarely hits. there was 3 seconds left when he recieved the ball with a flying wade headed toward him. since wade was in the air why not draw the foul? why not let him fly by step in and shoot a shot that is in your range. But that is the bulls we make tons of bad decisions and that why our record is not up to par. Too many 3's and not enought penetration. My girl and I watch bulls games together and she came up with a term that has held true all season. She said that its like a forcefield from the freethrowline to the basket. so when the bulls start passing the ball around the perimeter for a whole 24 second and dont drive to the basket we just figure its because of a forcefield. A forcefield is the only way i keep from cursing my television. Go bulls!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">My question is why did deng try to win with a 3? Hes been doing this all season he shoots 3's from that same side and he rarely hits. there was 3 seconds left when he recieved the ball with a flying wade headed toward him. since wade was in the air why not draw the foul? why not let him fly by step in and shoot a shot that is in your range. But that is the bulls we make tons of bad decisions and that why our record is not up to par. Too many 3's and not enought penetration. My girl and I watch bulls games together and she came up with a term that has held true all season. She said that its like a forcefield from the freethrowline to the basket. so when the bulls start passing the ball around the perimeter for a whole 24 second and dont drive to the basket we just figure its because of a forcefield. A forcefield is the only way i keep from cursing my television. Go bulls!</div> He had to shoot it. The play wasn't meant for him or he was just the last option on the play. He just got the ball because Sweetney couldn't do anything and Deng was standing there open so he gave him the ball with just a few seconds and he had to shoot it.
