Bulls stop three-game skid, beat the struggling Heat

Going into Saturday nights game against the struggling Miami Heat (24-27), the last thing the Bulls (24-25) needed was to be down another big.

Already coping with the loss of Joakim Noah, the Bulls would be without the services of Tyrus Thomas, who was serving a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

According to sources, Thomas, upset with his decrease in playing time, went on a profanity-laced tirade with the target being head coach Vinny Del Negro.

From the start of the game, the loss of Noah's rebounding presence was felt as Jermaine O'Neal had 8 rebounds alone in the first quarter, but the Bulls were able to take advantage of the Heat's 9 first half turnovers and headed into the first half with a 49-42 lead.

Luol Deng and Derrick Rose, made it their job to come out aggressive on the offensive end and had 14 points 12, respectively at the half.

The only thing that kept the Heat in the game in the second half was their offensive rebounding.

They outrebounded the Bulls 52-41, but couldn't convert the numerous opportunities they had.

John Salmons was huge in the second half, driving and creating contact and hitting some big jumpers down the stretch when the Heat threatened to take the lead, but the game would came down to the final possessions, as All-Stars Rose and Dwyane Wade would be the ones making the big plays.

That matchup would go to Rose on this night as he made the plays down the stretch and Wade was held in relative check.

The Bulls would make their free throws and defeat the Heat 95-91, sending them to a season-high five-straight losses and finishing up their fourth game in five nights.

Deng finished with 25 points and 7 rebounds, while Rose had 24 points and 5 rebounds.

Salmons had 15 off the bench and Brad Miller had 13 points, 8 rebounds and tied a career-high with 5 steals.

I was expecting a huge game from Wade. The Heat were losers of four-straight coming into the game and losers of seven out of their last ten, but he had a fairly quite 20 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.

"Just stopping him," said Rose. "Making sure he sees bodies around him every time he drive and making him shot tough shots, or make tough passes. That's what Kirk [Hinrich] did tonight."

Hinrich did do an excellent job making things difficult for Wade, but the Heat's superstar wasn't ready to pat Kirk on his back, instead, focusing the teams struggles on the predictability of the offense.

"We cant be a team that everybody knows what we're going to do," said Wade. "They just come down and play us because they know what we're going to do."

The frustrations of playing on a team with little talent, while watching friends like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, contend for Eastern and Western Conference supremacy has to only make it harder to continue to try and carry the load offensively every night.

Michael Beasley feels the Heat aren't playing as a team.

"We need to be on the same page for 48 minutes," says Beasley. "Not four minutes in each quarter. A team like the Bulls, or any team in the NBA, are to good for that. We need to come in here, stay focused for 48 minutes."

The Bulls next game is Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers (18-33).

GAME NOTES

Dwyane Wade returned home to a loud ovation from the United Center crowd. There were several signs held by fans urging the six year veteran to come back home.

While I love Wade's game, I feel a Rose and Wade backcourt could be unstoppable, it could also be a bad combination, as both guards are ball dominant. Unless a new system is infused, Wade and Rose would just be running around screens and both could be complaining about the predictability of the offense just as Wade is now in Miami.

Also, the Heat will only have four players under contract after this season and while Pat Riley didn't try to make any moves last offseason, there's no way he's going to let Wade just walk away without bringing some talent back this offseason.

Jermaine O'Neal had a turn the clock WAY BACK game last night, going for 24 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks and 5 assists. Pre-game, while in the Heat locker room, waiting to speak with Wade, O'Neal's preparation just to loosen up is a game in itself. 

You can say J.O. was amped to face his former teammate Brad Miller, but out of the two, who do you think plays the oldest?

I'm still waiting on Devin Brown to show the shooting touch, he demonstrated against the Bulls on Dec. 26, when he was playing for the New Orleans Hornets. Brown went 6-6 from three-point range and 4-4 for 22 points, all in the first half and would only miss another three after the half, which was the only shot he took. It looks like Christmas came and went for his shooting touch.

To everyone's surprise, even his, Jannero Pargo made a one minute cameo, but failed to get off a shot. Bummer.

If Wade does leave Miami this season, which is highly unlikely, it could be the best thing for Beasley.

It's clear the offense is basically get Dwyane the ball and either be available for a kick out if he doesn't have anything or take the first available shot.

Beasley can be a dominant offensive player in this league, but to do so, he'll need touches and more than just bail out shots.