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Bulls look to build on big win vs. Heat

Jan 27, 2007 - 4:03 PM Miami (19-24) at Chicago (25-19) 8:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Ben Gordon and the Chicago Bulls are coming off one of their best wins of the season. Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat were not nearly as impressive.

After defeating the runners-up in last season's NBA finals, the Bulls will host the defending champions when they face the Heat on Saturday.

Chicago posted a 96-85 victory over the Mavericks, whose eight-game winning streak came to an end. After scoring just 12 points on Tuesday, Gordon netted 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting for the Bulls two days later.

It was the second straight win and the seventh in its last nine games for Chicago, which is just one-half game behind Cleveland and Detroit in the Central Division.

Despite having both of its superstars back in the lineup, Miami did not fare nearly as well on Friday. With Shaquille O'Neal playing his second game since missing 35 after knee surgery and Dwyane Wade healthy after an ankle injury, the Heat were routed by New York, 116-96, as Knicks guard Jamal Crawford scored a career-high 52 points.

Playing only 15 minutes in each of his two games since returning, O'Neal is attempting to work himself back into shape. In his limited role, the legendary center has collected just 16 points and nine rebounds combined in the two contests.

The Heat were demoralized by the Bulls on opening night, losing, 108-66 on October 31. Chicago also won the rematch on December 27, 109-103, with Ben Gordon scoring a career-high 40 points.