MIAMI, Feb. 18 (Ticker) -- It is hard to believe that only six weeks ago the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls shared the same record.

Alonzo Mourning scored 23 points and Eddie Jones added 16 and sparked a key third-quarter run as the surging Heat rolled to a 102-80 victory over the hapless Bulls.

On Dec. 31, Miami and Chicago were tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 6-23, giving the Bulls hope of finishing out of last place for the first time since 1997-98.

But the Heat are climbing into the playoff race with 15 wins in their last 22 games, including a 13-4 mark since a three-game losing streak ended on January 14. Chicago has lost 17 of 23 games since sharing last place with Miami and is at least six games behind every other team in the East.

NBA TV highlights from Bulls-Heat: 56k | 300k Eddie Jones's 16 points helped the Heat handle the Bulls. Victor Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images

The Bulls, who have trouble winning when they have a full roster, had only eight players in uniform. Ron Artest and Brad Miller sat out amid rumors of an imminent trade to the Indiana Pacers.

Charles Oakley remained sidelined with a sore right wrist and Eddie Robinson did not play due to a left groin strain.

"It was real weird not knowing what the situation was before the game," Bulls center Tyson Chandler said. "(Coach Bill Cartwright) just told us we have got to stick together, this is what we've got to work with."

The situation reminded Mourning and Miami coach Pat Riley of a similar game on Feb. 23, 1996, when the Heat suited up only eight players but posted a 113-104 upset over the Bulls, who were the defending champions.

Miami had a limited amount of players available just days after making three trades, one of which brought Tim Hardaway to the Heat.

"During the national anthem I counted the guys and that thought definitely crossed my mind," Mourning said. "We had about seven or eight players right around the trade deadline and we just beat them out. I remember it like it was yesterday."

"When I got the starting lineup for Chicago, it reminded me of what happened my first year here," Riley said. "At the trading deadline we made all those trades and we had only (eight) guys and we beat the world champions. I was very concerned (Monday) that once our players knew that everyone was out that they wouldn't respect the game."

The Bulls that were left stayed close through the first half and pulled within 45-42 when Fred Hoiberg opened the second half with a layup. But Jones responded with a layup to spark a 14-2 run.

Mourning had a dunk and Kendall Gill followed with a jumper before Rod Strickland buried a 20-footer to give the Heat a double-digit lead for good.

Jones, Gill and Strickland each scored four points during the burst, which gave Miami a 59-44 cushion with 5:25 to go.

"Those guys came out and fought until we overwhelmed them in the second half," Jones said.

The Bulls never got closer than 13 thereafter and the Heat had their largest lead, 97-69 after a dunk by Sean Marks with 3:20 to play.

Miami has gotten back on track with defense and rebounding and crushed Chicago on the glass in Monday's rout. The Heat had an overwhelming, 43-25 advantage on the board, holding Chicago to a franchise-low two offensive rebounds.

Brian Grant grabbed 10 rebounds while Mourning and Jimmy Jackson pulled down eight apiece.

Eddie House scored 14 points off the bench and Gill finished with 12. Jackson chipped in 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting as Miami shot 56 percent (44-of-79) and recorded a season-high 30 assists.

"In the second half we really passed the ball well and got out and took care of business against a very undermanned team," Riley said. "We started to get some turnovers, we got some blocks and we got some transition hoops. Once we got the lead to 10 or 12 points it went from there."

Chandler and A.J. Guyton scored 13 points apiece and rookie Eddy Curry added 12 for Chicago, which has lost five of its last six visits to Miami.

The Bulls shot 42 percent (25-of-60), including 5-of-13 from 3-point range, and committed 20 turnovers leading to 23 points for the Heat.

"Having four of our top five scorers out made it difficult on us," said Hoiberg, who had 11 points and eight rebounds. "We just hear what everybody else has heard right now. We have to go out and work hard and let the chips fall where they may."