FINAL FROM MIAMI: Heat 102, Bulls 91.
LEADING SCORERS: Bulls: DeRozan: 26 pts. Miami: Butler and Strus each with 31 pts.
LEADING REBOUNDERS: Bulls: Vucevic: 9 Miami: Adebayo: 17.
LEADING ASSISTS: Bulls: DeRozan: 7 Miami: Herro : 9
CCI STAT OF THE GAME: Stagg High School's Max Strus scored 31 points, draining seven -three pointers.
CCI RECAP: Defense. Defense. Defense. It was a " Back to the Future" NBA game of the '80s as the Heat went on a 15-1 run to end the Bulls season in a low scoring contest that saw both teams play outstanding defense.
The Bulls shot 43% from the field, 28% from three point range while taking only 15 free throws.
Miami went 28-32 from the line. With the exception of Struss, the rest of the Heat combined to go three of 18 beyond the arc.
With Miami clinging to a 93-91 lead with 90 seconds left, Struss scored six of Miami’s last nine points to end a 15-1 run and send the Heat to Milwaukee for the series opener Sunday. Jimmy Butler had 31 points, 11 in the fourth quarter.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls in scoring with 26 points. Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond combined for 18 points and 17 rebounds. Zach LaVine had 15 points but made just six of 21 shots. Alex Caruso popped in 16 points. Coby White had 14 points, nine in the fourth quarter.
Up next for the Bulls is the NBA lottery. The team's first round pick is protected one-four. If the pick falls outside the group it becomes property of the Orlando Magic to complete the deal that sent Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls.
The 22-23 Bulls season is in the books..my 25th in the NBA, 15th with the Bulls and on January 13th I was blessed to broadcast my 2-000 NBA game.
Thank you to the Bulls organization for another year of support and assistance. We have an incredible group, one I am extremely proud of. The women and men who pass through the United Center on a daily basis are among the finest in professional sports. In every department, Bulls employees bring effort, energy and professionalism. I’ll go through a brick wall for every employee regardless of department or years of service. I have tremendous regard for my brothers and sisters who show up each and every day and give of themselves selflessly for the betterment of the organization. I also want to thank the seasonal workers at the United Center and Levy employees. They are fabulous.
Thank you to 670 The Score and the Bulls Network for everything. I am truly appreciative of Mitch Rosen and his staff and our engineer, Rich Wyatt. They’re the best. My deepest heartfelt gratitude to the women and men who put our broadcast together.
Our broadcast team featuring Bill Wennington, Alyssa Bergamini and Rich Wyatt are family. They are incredible human beings. One of the best things about coming to work everyday is to connect with them. I love our listeners and love those who communicate with me on social media. Bulls Nation is rock solid and the Bulls brand ranks among the strongest globally.
I love my job and love the game. I’m just as passionate today about my love of broadcasting basketball games as I was when I first began years ago. I will never mail it in. Ever. I have plenty left in the tank. My energy, focus and drive is at an all time high. I’m all in and all Bulls. This isn’t a job..it’s purpose..it’s passion..it’s positivity and it’s perseverance. I am truly blessed.
Again, thank you for listening to Bulls ball.
I want to personally thank the folks at Bulls.com for their time, patience and assistance this season. It's a grind and with a heart of gratitude I appreciate many, including Lino Jimenez.
With respect and admiration. Always a pleasure - Chuck.
CCI 24 SECONDS NBA NEWS AND NOTES
Minnesota 120, Oklahoma City 95. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the T-Wolves advanced to play top seed Denver in the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Thanks for reading CCI: Reach out: Twitter: @ctsbulls Instagram: swirsk_bulls Facebook: Chuck Swirsky. E-mail: cswirsky@bulls.com. All In. All Bulls. 365. 24-7. Always A Pleasure.