Morning Box Score: Heat Scorch Bulls In Game 2
By Chuck Sudo in News on May 9, 2013 2:15PM
Now that was an ass-whipping and a historic one, at that. The Bulls suffered their worst playoff loss in team history Tuesday night as Miami remembered they aren't just going to be handed the Larry O'Brien Trophy and put on a clinic. (The win was also the most lopsided playoff victory in Heat team history.) Lebron James scored 19 points — all in the first half — and the Heat hit 50 percent of their three-point attempts as they built a 46-point lead at one point, while playing smothering defense and getting chippy with the Bulls.
Adding insult to injury, the Bulls uncharacteristically lost their composure late in the game and racked up six technical fouls. Joakim Noah was tossed. So was Taj Gibson, who tore into referee Scott Foster like the Jordan Bulls used to rail against Hue Hollins.
And a Real Housewife hopeful gave Noah a piece of her mind on his way to the locker room.
NSFW but you HAVE to see this photo from Noah's ejection tonight. twitter.com/HPbasketball/s…
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 9, 2013
The officiating was bad late in the game, but by then the Bulls were so far out of it the outcome would not have been affected. But it would be nice to see Carlos Boozer contribute. Mr. Double Double has reverted to his usual shrinking violet act against better competition in this series and only scored eight points last night. Marco Belinelli led the Bulls with 13 points and Noah added 12 before he was ejected. Ray Allen led Miami with 21 points. The series shifts to the United Center Friday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Jake Peavy made a successful return to the mound after sitting out his last two scheduled starts with back spasms, Alejandro De Aza led off the game with a home run, and Alex Rios homered to lead the White Sox to a win at Citi Field. Peavy struck out six in 6 2/3 innings of work. The Sox have a day off before opening a series against the Angels at U.S. Cellular Field Friday.
The Cubs bullpen wasted a quality start from Carlos Villanueva and the lineup kept hitting into double plays that ended run-scoring opportunities as St. Louisrallied late to beat the North siders. The Cubs were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and are now 5-8 in one run games this season. Kevin Gregg, who's been perfect in save opportunities, was officially named the closer.