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Heat begin homestand versus Bulls

Feb 23, 2014 - 1:16 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - LeBron James returned home from a successful road trip with a broken nose and will be a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup with the Chicago Bulls.

The Miami Heat star suffered the break with less than six minutes remaining in Thursday's 103-81 victory at Oklahoma City. James was bloodied by a blow from Thunder forward Serge Ibaka and passed the concussion tests. He finished with 33 points on 15-of-22 shooting and is averaging 31.1 ppg in the last nine.

"He goes up and gets hit in the face and then goes back up and finishes. He's the biggest, strongest athlete in the league," Heat center Chris Bosh said.

James has scored 30 or more points in four straight games. He said he feels better since the injury occurred, but is experiencing pain and trouble breathing at times. James said he won't rush coming back to the floor.

"I am an Erik Spoelstra game-time decision," James said with a chuckle after Saturday's practice. "We'll see. It's a 3:30 game."

James wore a protective mask years ago when he suffered a fractured cheek bone as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is currently wearing a nose splint and may have to wear a mask when he returns.

Bosh and Dwyane Wade both scored 24 points against OKC and Wade handed out 10 assists to go along with seven rebounds and three steals for the Heat, who forced nine turnovers in the first quarter and 20 on the night.

"I just felt good tonight and was able to get to the places I wanted to," Wade said. "I was reading the defense pretty good. I wanted to mix it up, be aggressive offensively."

Miami stormed out to a 34-17 lead after the opening frame and later used a 16-4 run to grab a 70-51 advantage midway through the third quarter. Oklahoma City shot just 37.8 percent for the game and was led by NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant, who had 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting.

The Heat went 5-1 on the trip and have won 12 of their last 15 games. They will open a four-game homestand Sunday versus Chicago, New York, Orlando and Charlotte, and are 20-4 in South Beach. Miami has a 12-2 home record against teams from the East and is second in the conference behind Indiana.

Miami is trying to become just the second team in the East with 40 wins. The conference-leading Pacers (42-13) were the first to reach that mark.

Holding opponents under 100 points has happened often to the Heat, who are 29-2 when that occurs this season.

Spoelstra is one win shy of 300 in his career

Meanwhile, the Bulls will put their five-game winning streak to the test when they open a quick road trip down south. They will also visit Atlanta and have a 13-15 road mark this season.

Chicago resumed its winning ways and prevailed for the sixth time in seven tries with Friday's 117-89 home demolition of the Denver Nuggets, as D.J. Augustin had 22 points, eight assists and two steals to lead the charge. Tony Snell had a career-best 20 points, Taj Gibson ended with 15 and 10 rebounds, and Joakim Noah tallied 14 points, 11 boards, five assists and three blocks.

"All the hard work, everything I learned, I used it tonight," Snell said of his career high point total.

Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich scored 10 points apiece for the Bulls, who shot 50 percent from the floor and made 10-of-17 3-pointers. The Bulls are fourth in the East standings.

Bulls guard Jimmy Butler suffered a rib injury versus the Nuggets and is doubtful against the Heat. Butler had eight points Friday night.

Even though the Bulls are one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA with 92.8 ppg, they are giving up just 92.3 ppg. Miami is scoring 104.4 points per game and has split the first two meetings with Chicago this season. Chicago has lost two straight, 10 of 13 and 21 of its last 26 games in Miami.

The Bulls and Heat will meet again March 9 at the United Center.