MVP LeBron James again outstanding as the Bulls dumped out of the playoffs.
The Miami Heat advanced to the NBA semi-finals by capping a four-game win streak with a 94-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls Wednesday behind 23 points and eight assists from LeBron James.
Dwyane Wade finished with 18 points and six assists and Chris Bosh had 12 points and seven rebounds for the Heat, who won four straight games against the Bulls after dropping the opener in Miami.
James and Wade were key in helping the Heat avoid embarrassment after leading by 18 early, only to see them at one point trail by 11.
Chicago were in front 75-64 with 1.50 left in the third quarter and looked a good chance of extending the series to a sixth game.
But the dynamic duo of the Heat put the team on their backs and put them in front, however, Ric Hamilton and Jimmy Butler both missed three-pointers that could have taken the game into overtime.
But the difference in the sides down the stretch was the Heat’s suffocating defence which allowed the Bulls just 14 points on 6 for 18 shooting in the last term.
Carlos Boozer was outstanding for the Bulls despite being in a losing side scoring 26 and pulling down 14 boards.
A battered Chicago side desperately missed its usual depth off the bench for much of the series with again star point guard Derrick Rose not suiting up, along with Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich missing game time
The Heat will face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks in the semis. The Pacers lead that series 3-1 with game five set for Thursday at Madison Square Garden.
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