Dunleavy's Big 3rd Quarter Leads Bulls Past Heat
MIAMI (AP) — Mike Dunleavy scored 22 points, and the Chicago Bulls overcame a sloppy start Sunday to beat the offensively inept Miami Heat, 93-75.
Heat leading scorer Chris Bosh (calf strain) missed a game for the first time this season, which left them without enough punch or size to challenge Chicago. Miami shot a season-low 35 percent, including 4 for 22 from 3-point range.
Dunleavy was shut out in the first half but scored 19 points on eight shots in the third quarter, when Chicago outscored Miami 33-16. Dunleavy finished 4 for 5 from 3-point range, while the Bulls shot 9 of 18 beyond the arc and 47 overall.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points for the Central Division-leading Bulls. They improved to 11-3 on the road —best in the Eastern Conference.
Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng led Miami with 17 points apiece. The Heat's point total matched their season low.
The teams slogged through an ugly first half in their first matchup this season. The Bulls committed 13 turnovers but led 39-32 because Miami shot only 29 percent.
Chicago scored only three points in a 7 1/2-minute span after Derrick Rose went to the bench with two early fouls. The dry spell included turnovers on seven consecutive possessions midway through the first half as Miami built a six point lead.
Aaron Brooks scored eight consecutive points in three possessions to give the Bulls a 22-20 lead, and they were ahead to stay. They started the second half by outscoring Miami 12-2 to increase their lead to double digits.
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TIP-INS
Heat: Bosh sat out with a slight calf strain that began to bother him more before the game, according to coach Erik Spoelstra. Forward Josh McRoberts missed his third game in a row because of a right knee bruise. Chris Andersen played 18 minutes after missing the previous nine games with a sprained right ankle.
Bulls: Rookie forward Doug McDermott is expected to be sidelined another four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery Saturday on a right knee injury that has sidelined him all month. Joakim Noah missed his third straight game because of a sprained right ankle.
UP NEXT
Bulls: at Atlanta on Monday. The Bulls have won six in a row against the Hawks.
Heat: at Brooklyn on Tuesday.