MIAMI - The Miami Heat couldn't muster enough scoring on Sunday night and fell to the Chicago Bulls, 93-75, at the American Airlines Arena.
After taking an 18-14 edge in the opening quarter, the Heat were obliterated 58-30 in the ensuing two quarters and couldn't recover from the blow. Without their leading scorer, Chris Bosh, the Heat made only 28 of 80 shots, a dismal 35 percent. Miami also clunked from beyond the arc, just 4-for-22.
The Bulls, meanwhile, made 46.5 percent of their shots (33-of-71) and controlled the boards, 44-40. Chicago also passed more assists, 21-13.
Mike Dunleavy was the main man for the Bulls with 22 points. Jimmy Butler added 17 while Derrick Rose chalked a quiet 14 points after exploding for 31 against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng carried the load for Miami's offense with 17 points apiece. They struggled against the stingy Chicago defense, missing 19 of their 32 combined field goals.
The Bulls improved to 15-8, fourth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Heat fell to 11-13 and seventh place in the East.
A day after losing to Chicago, reports emerged that Bosh is out indefinitely with a strained calf while Josh McRoberts may be out for the season with a right knee injury.
"Injuries are part of the game -- how you respond to adversities, to things that are tough, that's what reveals your collective character as a group," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra told ESPN.com. (RDG)
Photo: Bulls forward Taj Gibson is trapped by three Heat players under the hoop. Gibson scored 15 points to help Chicago prevail, 93-75.
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