Philippines, 08 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Heat pours fuel on rivalry, burns Bulls


PhilBoxing.com




WITH supremacy in the Eastern Conference on the line, the Miami Heat showed the Chicago Bulls that they were -- for one night at least -- the top dogs.

Led by LeBron James' 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, the Heat trounced the Bulls 82-73 Thursday night at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami. The win moved the 45-17 Heat to within 1.5 games behind the 47-16 Bulls for the No.1 seed in the upcoming NBA playoffs.

Chicago -- playing without MVP Derrick Rose for the 25th time this season -- struggled mightily against a tough and physical Miami defense. The Bulls made only 25 of 70 field goals for a tepid 35.7 percent clip. They missed 14 of 16 treys and converted only 20 of 28 free throws.

John Lucas led the Bulls with 16 points, but he took 16 shots to get there. Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer had a rough outing as well, missing 17 of 26 shots. They did have 21 points combined but the Bulls couldn't survive a fourth quarter drought that netted them only 11 points.

Miami didn't exactly set the American Airlines Arena on fire, but the Heat shot better at 42.1 percent (32-of-76 field goals). The Heat also sank two more 3s (4-of-13) and they didn't miss as many free throws (15-of-21).

More importantly, the Heat out-rebounded the Bulls 45-40 and they played with more passion on both ends of the floor.

"That's what the playoffs are going to be about. When someone pushes their foot on the gas and tries to push us back, we have to push even harder. We definitely have to get better at that," said Bulls guard Rip Hamilton of the game's playoff-type atmosphere which saw four technical fouls and an ejection.

"Typical Eastern Conference basketball game in late April," Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra told NBA.com. "It was a good win. Both teams had to fight through some injuries. Everybody out there obviously was competing,: he added.

Gunning for his third MVP award, James sank 8-of-16 shots, 1-of-12 triples and 10-of-12 freebies. He was the heart of a Miami offense that aggressively attacked the Bulls. (Fakhouri Amjid)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Fakhouri Amjid.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026
  • Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
    , Fri, 02 Jan 2026
  • Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
    , Thu, 01 Jan 2026
  • Lover Boy on hot streak
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
    , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 31 Dec 2025
  • Donaire awaits WBA order
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
    , Tue, 30 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
    , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Dec 2025
  • Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
    , Sun, 28 Dec 2025
  • IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 27 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.