Heat Look Rusty against Bulls in Game 1

Yesterday, Miami commenced Round 2 of the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls who has just finished a seven game series to the Brooklyn Nets. The Chicago Bulls were without Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich for the past week and the superstar point guard Derrick Rose who has been out since April of 2012. Chicago and Miami go back a long way with hard fought games and has continued to be a rivalry unlike others. It was expected that the Heat would come out rusty because they haven't played a game in a week or so after sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks. Before the game, Lebron received his fourth MVP in five years - joining Michael Jordan, Karrem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain as the fifth to do that in NBA history.

Heat did come out rusty missing uncontested and wide open shots, something that didn't happen in the regular season. Lebron only had two points in the first half of the game going 1-6 from the field. For the Chicago Bulls, defense kept them in the game because on the offensive end, they were committing numerous turnovers on almost every possession. Both teams tied at 37 at an ugly first half for both teams. The second half, both teams came out strong. Lebron knew he had to become more aggressive and it was him that got the Heat going again. It all came down to the fourth quarter when Nate Robinson hit a jumper at 1:18 to give the Bulls the lead 88-86. For the next Bulls possession, Nate Robinson blew past Ray Allen for a layup putting them up four. Lebron would airball a contested shot with 29 second left.

The Chicago Bulls stunned the Miami Heat and won 93-86 to the defending champs giving them their first loss of the playoffs. "No excuses for time off or anything else," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We're up four, regardless of how we played, going into the fourth quarter, and give them credit because they exploded for a 35-point quarter in the fourth. Obviously, that's not going to get it done in the playoffs." The Bulls outscored Miami 35 to 24 in the fourth quarter while shooting around 53 percent from the field.

There is no reason to panic for the Heat as they were down in the last three series of the 2012 playoffs. If you don't remember - 2-1 against the Indiana Pacers, 3-2 against the Boston Celtics, and 1-0 against the Oklahoma Thunder. Lebron said after the game, "This is what the playoffs are all about. "We're going against a really good team and we know that so we'll prepare tomorrow and get ready for Game 2." Game 2 of this physical series will be tomorrow at the American Airline Arena and Miami will be prepared.

Miami Sweeps Bucks to Advance to Round 2

The Miami Heat proceeded to Round 2 of the playoffs after sweeping the Milwaukee Bucks last night at the Bradley Center. They will face either the Brooklyn Nets or the Chicago Bulls as their series is not over yet. Before the Heat versus Bucks series begun, Brandon Jennings of the Bucks said, "I'm real confident. I'm sure everybody is writing us off but, but, I see us winning the series in six." I know for a fact that he his regretting that he even said this because the quote just gave more motivation to the Miami Heat. In last nights game, Dwyane Wade did not play because of his sore right knee but it was no problem for the Heat as Lebron scored 30 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and accumulated 7 assists. This is the first time the Heat has swept an opponent since Chris Bosh and Lebron James has joined the team.

 

James said after the game, "It was our next big step as far as our growth. It's so hard to win on the road in the playoffs, in someone's building - especially when someone is playing for their last life. It's a big step for us." Ray Allen was essential for the Heat also with 16 points off of 4-7 shooting from three pointers against his old team.

As the Heat led the entire game, the Bucks started to make a comeback. With 9:34 in the fourth quarter, the Bucks trailed the Heat 67 to 69. On the Bucks possession, Mario Chalmers stole the ball which led to a Ray Allen 3 pointer. The next play, Lebron assisted Chalmers on another 3 pointer. After the game James said, "It's just good to have depth that we have so I can draw two defenders and find shooter." Miami went on a 19 to 4 run to lead the bucks 88-72. Lebron either assisted or scored on every Heat basket. 

The Heat won the game 88-77 and will play either Chicago or the Nets on Monday night at the American Airlines Arena. Coach Spoelstra said, "The biggest focus for us will be keeping ourselves physically ready, and that's probably the most abnormal of the circumstances. You're used to playing every 48 hours or so. That's the NBA rhythm when you get into the playoffs." It's evident that the Miami Heat will ease its way to the Finals once again.