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Deng helps Chicago get past Miami

Feb 25, 2011 - 8:02 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Luol Deng buried the game-winning three-pointer with 16 seconds left to lift Chicago to a 93-89 decision over Miami at the United Center.

Derrick Rose did nothing to hurt the growing sentiment that he has a strong case for league MVP by scoring 26 points, including two big buckets in the final three minutes, dishing out six assists and grabbing five rebounds.

Rose drove on LeBron James from the foul line and when Dwyane Wade came over to provide help, the point guard found an open Deng in the left corner for the decisive make.

"D-Rose has been doing it all year, making big shots and they were so concerned about him that they over-played him," Deng said of the series. "Derrick made the right play in kicking the ball out."

Deng finished with 20 points, 10 boards and five assists for the Bulls, who bounced back from a surprise loss in Toronto on Wednesday to win for the fifth time in their last six games.

After James missed a straight-on three-pointer, Kyle Korver hit 1-of-2 at the line with 9.4 seconds to play to make it a four-point spread and seal the win, the eighth straight on home hardwood for Chicago.

"We're just trying to prove we can compete with some of the best teams. But it's hard. We're just trying to stay on the right track," said Rose.

James scored 29 points, on 12-of-21 shooting, hauled in 10 caroms and handed out five assists while Wade provided a game-high 34 points to go along with eight rebounds for the Heat, who have split their first two post-All-Star Game contests.

"You can look at [the Deng play] over an over again," said Wade. "But he made a heck of a pass and Deng hit a good shot."

Chris Bosh, the other member of the "Big Three", had a miserable night, making 1-of-18 shots en route to scoring seven points. He did have nine rebounds for the Heat, who had claimed six of the previous nine meetings.

Ahead 80-71 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the game, Chicago's Taj Gibson missed twice from in close and the Heat were able to seize the momentum and move back in front.

The Heat strung together the next 13 points to forge a four-point lead with just under five minutes to play. Two Bosh free throws that were followed by a Mario Chalmers triple to make it 82-80 Miami were the first points scored by someone other than James or Wade since there were three minutes left in the second quarter.

However, a Korver trifecta and Rose's driving layup put the hosts back in the lead at 85-84 with 2:49 to play. Deng's mid-range jumper and a long jumper from Rose from the right side capped a 9-0 run that made it 89-84 with 66 ticks to go.

Wade closed the gap and ended a 4 1/2 minute drought without a bucket by hitting a tough baseline fadeaway to trim the deficit to three seven seconds later. After a Rose miss, James nailed a running bank shot and ensuing free throw to tie the game with 35.8 seconds left.

Deng then provided the dramatics on the hosts' next possession.

Trailing by as many as 11 early in the third quarter, the Bulls went on an 18-6 spree to claim a 64-63 edge with 3:17 to go in the period. Rose ignited the burst with a triple and closed it with a fallaway jumper while Deng had eight in the seven-minute stretch.

After a Wade jumper cut the lead to one, a Taj Gibson free throw and a Rose layup in the final 46 seconds gave the Bulls a 71-67 lead after three quarters.

James scored 10 and Wade added nine to help the Heat fashion a 31-23 lead after the first quarter.

Wade's driving layup extended the lead to 44-34 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Bulls would get no closer than seven and went into the intermission trailing 53-44.

Game Notes

Rose made only 9-of-24 shots but hit 7-of-8 at the line...Carlos Boozer added 16 points and nine boards in the win. He and Deng both made 7-of-12 from the floor for the Bulls, who shot only 41.5 percent...Omer Asik didn't score but matched a career-high with 11 rebounds for the Bulls...Wade connected on 12- of-24 from the field and 10-of-12 from the line...Chalmers ended with 12 points...Miami had only 12 assists on 32 made buckets.