Butler prevents Bulls comeback, Heat win
Butler prevents Bulls comeback, Heat win (Miami, FL) – Coming off their win against Charlotte, the Bulls will play a familiar face in Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat tonight. The Heat have been up and down lately, going 5-5 in their last 10 games.
In their latest matchup, the Heat allowed the Atlanta Hawks to make 15 three pointers. The Hawks also out-rebounded Miami by 8 and had a 19-6 advantage in fast break points. In the Bulls win against Charlotte, they also had the upper-hand in all three of those categories. If Chicago can do the same tonight, they have a good chance of beating Butler and the Heat.
Heat, Robinson catch fire from 3-point line in 1st half
Duncan Robinson started the game with a hot hand, hitting four three-pointers. Robinson’s shooting gave the Heat a 17-6 lead with 7.5 minutes left in the 1st. Miami also out-rebounded the Bulls 15-8 in the quarter and took advantage of the extra possessions. The Heat led 33-18 going into the 2nd
Miami extended their lead to begin the 2nd, behind 7 points from Bam Adebayo. The Heat used a 15-5 run to go up 48-25 with 7 minutes remaining. Coby White and Nikola Vučevic scored 7 quick points to trim the Bulls deficit to 48-32, with 5 minutes left in the half. Miami prevented a big run by the Bulls and led 61-41 going into halftime.
The major reasons for the Miami lead were their three-point shooting and their ability to get to the free throw line. The Heat made 10 threes and 11 free throws in the 1st half, compared to 6 threes and only 1 free throw by Chicago. Robinson led Miami by scoring 18 points, with Kendrick Nunn and Adebayo adding 13 each. White and Vučević both had 10 points for the Bulls
Miami maintains their lead going into the 4th
Both teams struggled to start the 3rd, as they each only scored 7 points in the first 5 minutes. Due to 5 team fouls from Miami, the Bulls would shoot free throws for the remaining 7 minutes of the quarter. Chicago cut the lead down to 68-54 at one point, but Miami led 80-63 going into the 4th.
Butler prevent Bulls comeback
The Bulls got themselves back in the game to begin the 4th, cutting it to single digits. Chicago went on a 11-3 run, to reduce Miami’s lead to 83-74 with 9.5 minutes remaining. Later Vučević hit a hook shot and a three-pointer, to reduce their deficit even more to 94-89 with 5.5 minutes left. Butler and Adebayo scored the next 7 points for the Heat, extending their lead back up to 101-92 with 3.5 minutes left. The Heat won 106-101
Chicago outscored Miami 38-26 in the 4th, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Butler scored 11 of his 20 points in the quarter, to lead the Heat to victory. Robinson, Adebayo and Nunn also all scored 20+ points.
White scored 15 of his 31 points in the 4th to lead Chicago. Vučević added 26 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists.
Up Next
Chicago (25-35) and Miami (32-29) will play each other again on Monday at 7pm CT.
Butler prevents Bulls comeback, Heat win
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