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The Chicago Bulls rallied to overcome the Miami Heat with a 102-97 victory on Saturday night, halting Miami Heat's impressive seven-game winning streak. The game, marked by a series of dramatic shifts, saw the Chicago Bulls pull off an extraordinary comeback.
For the third consecutive game, the Chicago Bulls found themselves trailing by double digits, with the situation looking grim as they were down 22-1 midway through the first quarter. The home crowd's boos echoed through the arena, reflecting the team's early struggle.
However, the Chicago Bulls managed to turn the tide, snapping their three-game losing streak with a vigorous performance in the fourth quarter.
Key Contributions and Final Push
The turnaround was a team effort, with all five Chicago starters scoring in double figures.
DeMar DeRozan led the charge with 23 points, followed by Nikola Vucevic with 15, Coby White with 14, and Zach LaVine adding 13 points. Alex Caruso also played a crucial role, scoring 11 points, including a pivotal 3-pointer in the final minute.
Jimmy Butler scored 25 points for the Heat, with Bam Adebayo contributing 24 points and 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Despite their efforts, the Heat lost their lead in the game's final minute. Jimmy Butler missed two critical 3-point attempts in the last seconds, shifting the momentum in favor of the Bulls.
DeMar DeRozan's decisive 18-foot fadeaway put the Bulls ahead for good, with his two free throws in the last five seconds sealing the victory. Reflecting on the shot, DeMar DeRozan said, “It definitely felt good to see it go (in), get the crowd reaction especially with how we started”.
Coach Billy Donovan emphasized the need for his team to shoot confidently, citing their season-high 45 3-point attempts as a key factor in the comeback. This remarkable game marked the first matchup between the teams since the Heat's victory over the Bulls in a Play-In Tournament game in April, a win that propelled Miami into an improbable run to the NBA Finals.