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Korver sinks game-winner as Bulls beat Heat

Jan 16, 2011 - 7:04 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - For all the star power Saturday's game held, Kyle Korver came up with the biggest shot.

The Bulls sharpshooter grabbed a key rebound and drilled a go-ahead three- pointer with 25.5 seconds left that helped Chicago pull out a 99-96 victory over the Miami Heat.

It was Korver's only successful three-point attempt of the contest, and ultimately lifted the Bulls to their eighth consecutive home win. Derrick Rose led Chicago with 34 points and eight assists, a performance matched by the Heat's Dwyane Wade, who scored 33 points.

"I love competing against the best. It was fun. [Wade] was making a hell of a shot, tough shots," Rose said. "It's really exciting when a game is like that because it makes you bring your best stuff."

The Heat were playing without LeBron James, who sat for a second consecutive game with an ankle injury. They also played part of the game without forward Chris Bosh, who left after suffering a left ankle sprain in the third quarter and scored 17 points.

Wade sank two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to put Miami ahead, but missed a potential tying shot in the closing seconds as the Heat lost their third consecutive game.

"On the road, that's what you want is to have a chance to win," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. "We had a couple chances there at the end. During the course of the game, they outplayed us in the effort areas, loose balls and second-chance points...and I think that was really the difference in the game."

The first three quarters contained a 17-point run, a 14-point Bulls advantage, and four lead changes.

By the fourth quarter, though, the game had tightened. While the Heat trailed for almost all of the quarter, they didn't trail by much and were within 90-87 after Mario Chalmers drove for a layup with 2:03 left.

The shot preceded a shot-making duel between Wade and Rose, who drove for a layup on the possession after Chalmers' make. Wade then canned a three, Rose had a three-point play, and Wade drilled another long-range shot.

That got Miami within 95-93 with 1:07 left, and after Chalmers stole the ball from Rose, Wade gave the Heat their only lead of the quarter.

Chalmers' steal led to a fastbreak chance, but instead of driving to the hoop, he kicked it back out, and Wade eventually got the ball at the top of the arc. Wade faked a shot to draw a jump from the Bulls' C.J. Watson, then leaned in and made the off-balance three with 37.2 ticks left.

At the other end, Rose used a quick move to get around Wade and put up a short baseline jumper, but it bounced off the rim. Carlos Boozer's tip sent the ball to Wade, who batted the ball to the perimeter.

That's when Korver ran in and grabbed the ball on the left side of the court, with his motion carrying him toward the baseline. Korver took several steps with the ball, planted at the wing, and made the three-pointer.

"There was a loose ball...just went after it, and grabbed it," Korver said. "Everyone was kind of flying by me the other way. Took a dribble and I was open."

Miami still had plenty of time to pull even or take the lead, but its ensuing possession was a display in chaos. Shortly into the possession, Wade fell to the floor and nearly lost the ball. Mike Miller dove to push the ball to a teammate, and the scramble forced the Heat to improvise with time winding down.

Eddie House got the ball and drove in on the right side before passing to Chalmers above the arc. Chalmers' shot, though, was off and Ronnie Brewer came down with the rebound.

Brewer's 1-of-2 performance at the line with 4.4 seconds remaining gave Miami one last chance to tie. Wade pump-faked at the top of the arc again, but the shot missed, securing the Bulls' victory.

The Bulls used an 11-2 run in the first quarter to carry a 28-19 lead into the second.

Miami, though, made 11-of-19 shots in the second quarter and went into the break with a 53-48 edge.

Rose scored 12 points in the third quarter, which Chicago opened with a 17-0 run. The Heat followed with a 14-2 run to tie the game, 67-67, though the Bulls put together a late surge and held 73-70 edge moving to the fourth.

Game Notes

Boozer finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago, which held a 42-30 rebounding advantage...Korver ended with seven points...House led Miami's bench with 13 points, while Chalmers had 10...Miami won three of the four meetings with Chicago last season.