Heat Use Strong Start To Defeat Bulls
The Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls, 112-91, in the Play-In Tournament at Kaseya Center on Friday.
The Heat enjoyed a dominant start to the game, evidenced by a 28-6 run over the final 9:16 minutes of the first quarter as Miami built a 17-point lead in the opening 12 minutes. However, the Heat couldn’t keep that same intensity in the second quarter, and the Bulls responded efficiently. A 7-0 run midway through the second quarter sparked Chicago, and even though the Heat responded late, Miami’s lead was reduced to 10 points. The Heat didn’t want any surprises, however, and they outplayed the Bulls in the third quarter, pushing their lead even further and generating a 22-point advantage by the end of the period. The Bulls were unable to mount a comeback, and Miami closed the game out with ease. With the win, the Heat have set up a matchup against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bulls’ season has ended.
Tyler Herro carried the Heat to victory with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jaime Jaquez had 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Bam Adebayo recorded 13 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kevin Love looked impressive off the bench and posted 16 points with seven rebounds in just 12 minutes. The Heat shot 46.3 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc.
DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Bulls with 22 points and four assists. Nikola Vucevic had a strong outing as well, posting 16 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Coby White had 13 points and four assists. Ayo Dosunmu finished with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Javonte Green had 12 points off the bench. The Bulls shot 38 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from deep.
The Heat enjoyed a dominant start to the game, evidenced by a 28-6 run over the final 9:16 minutes of the first quarter as Miami built a 17-point lead in the opening 12 minutes. However, the Heat couldn’t keep that same intensity in the second quarter, and the Bulls responded efficiently. A 7-0 run midway through the second quarter sparked Chicago, and even though the Heat responded late, Miami’s lead was reduced to 10 points. The Heat didn’t want any surprises, however, and they outplayed the Bulls in the third quarter, pushing their lead even further and generating a 22-point advantage by the end of the period. The Bulls were unable to mount a comeback, and Miami closed the game out with ease. With the win, the Heat have set up a matchup against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Meanwhile, the Bulls’ season has ended.
Tyler Herro carried the Heat to victory with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Jaime Jaquez had 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Bam Adebayo recorded 13 points, four rebounds and four assists. Kevin Love looked impressive off the bench and posted 16 points with seven rebounds in just 12 minutes. The Heat shot 46.3 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc.
DeMar DeRozan led the way for the Bulls with 22 points and four assists. Nikola Vucevic had a strong outing as well, posting 16 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Coby White had 13 points and four assists. Ayo Dosunmu finished with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Javonte Green had 12 points off the bench. The Bulls shot 38 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from deep.
Pelicans Take Control In New Orleans
By Dan Bruno
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings, 105-98, in the NBA Play-In Tournament at Smoothie King Center on Saturday evening.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Kings held a two-point lead after one quarter. The Pelicans turned up their play in the second and outscored the visitors by 11 points in the frame to take a nine-point lead into the break. Both sides brought a good effort in the third and poured in 29 points each, while the hosts maintained a nine-point advantage heading into the final quarter. The Pelicans reclaimed momentum in the fourth and rallied to a 20-point lead, which was enough to hold on for the win and secure the eighth playoff spot in the West. This marks the end of the season for the Kings.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and a blocks, in 37 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Trey Murphy logged 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a steal. The Pelicans shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 7-for-19 from deep.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, in 42 minutes. Domantas Sabonis followed up with 23 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block, while Harrison Barnes tallied 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Kings shot 40.9 percent from the field, including 11-for-41 from long range.
The game got out to a competitive start as the Kings held a two-point lead after one quarter. The Pelicans turned up their play in the second and outscored the visitors by 11 points in the frame to take a nine-point lead into the break. Both sides brought a good effort in the third and poured in 29 points each, while the hosts maintained a nine-point advantage heading into the final quarter. The Pelicans reclaimed momentum in the fourth and rallied to a 20-point lead, which was enough to hold on for the win and secure the eighth playoff spot in the West. This marks the end of the season for the Kings.
Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 24 points, six rebounds, six assists and a blocks, in 37 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas followed up with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Trey Murphy logged 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a steal. The Pelicans shot 51.8 percent from the field, including 7-for-19 from deep.
Meanwhile, De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 35 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, in 42 minutes. Domantas Sabonis followed up with 23 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block, while Harrison Barnes tallied 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. The Kings shot 40.9 percent from the field, including 11-for-41 from long range.