Series Preview: Chicago Bulls v.s. Miami Heat

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Let me translate, BKS watched the NFL Draft in it's entirety today. That's right, 8 hours straight. Are you also going to watch Day 2 BKS?</div>
Probably going to listen to it while I write my paper.

E-A-G-L-E-S!

 

I would never be able to watch a whole draft. I usually watch some of the first round (top 15 or so) and all the picks the Bears make. I would never be able to watch the whole draft. I could watch an NBA Draft though. Way shorter and not many trades at all.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Probably going to listen to it while I write my paper.

E-A-G-L-E-S!</div>

T-I-T-A-N-S baby.

Vince Young and LenDale "I'm a wonderful person" White.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">T-I-T-A-N-S baby.

Vince Young and LenDale "I'm a wonderful person" White. </div>
Yeah, I saw that. I didn't want them to get 2 potential stars lol. It would have been awesome if Leinart and White could have gotten together with the Titans with Norm Chow.

 

I don't like Leinart, too much Hollywood and pretty boy for me.

 

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<font color="Orange">Miami Heat (52-30)</font> at <font color="DarkRed">Chicago Bulls (41-41)</font>
Game Four: Sunday, 12:00pm vs. Heat
TV: ABC

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Everything clicked for the Bulls once their first round playoff series with the Miami Heat shifted to Chicago. On Sunday, the Bulls will try to keep the momentum going and even the series at 2-2 when the teams square off at the United Center (12:00 p.m. CT | ABC/ESPN Radio).

After winning the first two games of the series at home, Miami dropped a 109-90 decision to Chicago in Game Three on Thursday as Shaquille O'Neal - a three-time NBA Finals MVP - was held to eight points while committing five fouls and seven turnovers.

O'Neal will have to step up his game even more Sunday as the Heat will be without forward James Posey, who was suspended for the contest after taking a running shoulder block at Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich with 3:15 remaining in Game Three.

After averaging 113 points in the first two games of the series, the Heat shot under 42 percent from the field, made just 21-of-33 free throws - including 0-of-6 by O'Neal - and committed 19 turnovers.

Chicago was led by Ben Gordon, who scored 24 points, and Hinrich, who collected 22 and 11 assists. Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni added 19 points apiece as part of a balanced attack by the Bulls, who have scored at least 106 points in each game during the series. The teams will fly back to Miami for Game Five on Tuesday. Tune in to watch Sunday's game on ABC and listen to it on ESPN Radio.</font>

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<font color="Darkred"> Chicago Bulls</font>



<font size=""1""><font color=""DarkRed"">PG</font>- Kirk Hinrich
<font color=""DarkRed"">SG</font>- Ben Gordon
<font color=""DarkRed"">SF</font>- Malik Allen
<font color=""DarkRed"">PF</font>- Andres Nocioni
<font color=""DarkRed"">C</font>- Michael Sweetney</font>


<font size=""1"">Coach: Scott Skiles</font>

<font size="3">Season Stats</font>
Leading Scorer: Ben Gordon- 17.0 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Tyson Chandler- 9.0 RPG
Assist Man: Kirk Hinrich- 6.3 APG
The 'X' Factor: Luol Deng (14.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.9 APG)



[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Kirk Hinrich</font>
PPG: 15.9, RPG: 3.6, APG: 6.3
Kirk Hinrich was victim of a blind side tackle late in game three, that resulted in the suspension of James Posey. Besides that one incident Hinrich had a pretty good night finishing the game with 22 points and 11 assists. The Bulls will need Hinrich to have a solid performance at the quarterback position, in basketball, point guard tonight in order to have a chance to win. As big a part as Gordon is to this team success Hinrich is just as big if not a bigger part. Hinrich plays well we win.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Ben Gordon</font>
PPG: 17.0 PPG, RPG: 2.7, APG: 3.0
Air Gordon has had an incredible series so far. After struggling just a bit in game two Gordon came back and had another great performance in game three going for 24 points. Gordon needs to be hot on the offensive end for the Bulls to stay in this game. specially, if Shaq comes out on fire.



[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/malik_allen.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Malik Allen</font>
PPG: 4.9, RPG: 2.6, APG: 0.4
Malik Allen has had a solid series against his former Miami Heat teammates. Allen is not shocking people with his numbers, or turning any heads, but he is doing what is asked of him. He had only 2 points in game three, but that was largely due to limited minutes to protect him, due to back issues he was having. Allen played only 17 minutes despite starting. When he is on the court he is efficient and that is what we need.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/andres_nocioni.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Andres Nocioni</font>
PPG: 13.6, RPG: 6.1, APG: 1.4
Andres Nocioni played well in game three. Anyone surprised? Nocioni has probably had the best series of all the Bulls players just because of the consistency he has shown on both ends of the court. Nocioni will be looked at this afternoon many times to either take a big shot, or make a big defensive stop. After seeing him play the last two seasons I am sure he will rise to the occasion.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_sweetney.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkRed">Michael Sweetney</font>
PPG: 8.1, RPG: 5.3, APG: 0.9
Michael Sweetney had a solid game in game three. He not only got every lose ball when he was on the court. He put up a nice stat line with 10 points and seven rebounds on 80% shooting from the field. Hey, he out played Shaq! I?m a Sweetney fan, and if there is one player who it?s nice to see have a solid game in the playoffs it?s this kid. He has had a rough season, but has put it all together down the stretch.
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<font color="Orange">Miami Heat</font>



<font size=""1""><font color=""Orange"">PG</font>- Jason Williams
<font color=""Orange"">SG</font>- Dwyane Wade
<font color=""Orange"">SF</font>- Antoine Walker
<font color=""Orange"">PF</font>- Udonis Haslem
<font color=""Orange"">C</font>- Shaquille O?Neal</font>

<font size=""1"">Coach: Pat Riley</font>

<font size="3">Season Stats</font>
Leading Scorer: Dwyane Wade - 27.3 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Shaquille O?Neal- 9.2 RPG
Assist Man: Dwyane Wade - 6.7 APG
The 'X' Factor: Shaquille O?Neal (20.0 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.9 APG)



[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_williams.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Jason Williams </font>
PPG: 12.3, RPG: 2.4, APG: 4.9
Jason Williams continued his reemergence in this series as one of the better point guards in the league, in game three, scoring 17 points on over 50% shooting from the field. Despite another brilliant performance from Williams the Heat where run out of the building by the Bulls. Williams will need to not only get his own offense going, but also get his teammates involved in order to win.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwyane_wade.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Dwyane Wade </font>
PPG: 27.3, RPG: 4.3, APG: 6.7
Dwyane Wade continued to have a great series against his hometown team in game three as he scored 26 points in a losing effort. Despite the lose if there is one player who you cannot blame is Wade. Wade will need to perform well today again for the Heat to have a chance at victory. Hopefully for him and the Heat is ?not talking to family? technique continues to work, and he continues to play well.



[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antoine_walker.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Antonie Walker </font>
PPG: 12.2, RPG: 5.1, APG: 2.0
It?s been a up and down series for Walker. He performed well when he was thrown into the power forward slot in game two, but excluding that game has failed to be a consistent weapon for his team on either end of the court. Walker, also a Chicago native, fouled out in game three, with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and one technical foul. Not a bad stat line, but the Heat need a lot more from a former all star.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/udonis_haslem.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Orange">Udonis Haslem</font>
PPG: 9.3, RPG: 7.8, APG: 1.2
What an eventful series it has been for Haslem thrown out of game one, suspended game two, and picking up a technical foul in game three. What is next for Mr. Mouth Guard? Honestly, all the non sense aside Haslem has had a solid series including a double double in game three. Controversy reveals character let?s see how Haslem performs the rest of the series.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shaquille_oneal.jpg[/imgl]<font color="orange">Shaquille O?Neal </font>
PPG:20.0, RPG: 9.2, APG: 1.9
The Diesel was anything, but that in game three. Shaq will be heading into game four coming off his second worst playoff performance of his career. Shaq was held under double digit points, fouled out, and had seven turnovers. Some believe the Diesel will respond in a big way in game four. However, should he pick up a couple early fouls I expect him to start thinking ?here we go again?.
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<ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Force Turnovers</font></font> <font size=""1"">the Bulls forced the Heat into 19 turnovers in game three as they won their first game of the series. There is no doubt that there ability to force those turnovers, and win the game go hand in hand. They need to continue doing more of the same this afternoon.</font>[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Points in the Paint</font></font> <font size=""1""> the Bulls out scored the Heat 40-32 in the paint in game three. I was expecting them to simply control the paint, and limit Shaq. They surprised even me. Let?s see if they can do it again. </font>[/list]

<ul><font color="DarkRed"><font size=""1"">Quick start</font></font> <font size=""1""> the Bulls lead wire to wire in game three. They got confidence early and never let it go. If they do the same tonight they can put some doubt in the Heat?s mind, and make them start questioning ?is it happening again??</font>[/list]

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<ul><font color="Orange"><font size=""1"">Ball control </font></font> <font size=""1""> as a veteran team there is no way the Heat can give up 19 possessions due to turnovers. They will need to be way more efficient tonight in order to steal a win on the Bulls home court. </font>[/list]

<ul><font color="Orange"><font size=""1""> Keep your cool </font></font> <font size=""1"">four technical fouls in less than a minute in game three down the stretch talk about living up to your name the Heat where just that heated. They need to keep there composure in game four.</font>[/list]


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<font size="1">The Bulls tie this series up tonight with another convincing win at home. They also make the Heat start questioning how good they really are, and plant that seed of doubt that will allow the Bulls to win this series. </font>

 

Bulls win and I win $21.00

Bulls, Suns and Cavs win and I win $123.00

I hope to wake up to some good news.

GO BULLS!!

 

Nice preview BKS. I hope the Bulls can get into a lead at the start of a game. Can't wait till it starts!

 

Nice stopped Shaq on the first possesion and then Malik Allen with a jumpshot.

 

What a start defensively for the Bulls Heat 0-7 and we blocked three shots!

 

Come on get the boards... WTF SWEETNEY?

 

What the hell was that? Didn't wade go out?

 

Nocioni!

EDIT: GORDON!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SP23:</div><div class="quote_post">What the hell was that? Didn't wade go out?</div>
He got back in bounds before he picked up the ball. I personally thought it was offensive goaltending by Shaq on that alley oop though the ball looked like it was in the cylinder. Shaq and the Heat can?t hold on to the ball, or make a shot for their lives right now horrible start for them.

 

TWO FOULS ON SHAQ! Tyson Chandler the one man swat team is a force on defense, and on the boards.

 

We just need to get easier defensive rebounds. There's always a guy on Miami that gets a hand on the ball.

 

Gordon should have lobed that to Chandler instead of wiping it.

 

Losing by 2 at the end of the first quarter. Walker is basically doing everything for them and Luol Deng hasn't stopped him yet. We haven't done much since Shaq left, which is bad.

 

Gordon! Nice 2nd quarter so far.