Morning Box Score: Bulls Lose Another Fight
By Chuck Sudo in News on May 11, 2013 2:05PM
The Bulls have no margin for error if they hope to beat Miami in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. For a second straight game they lost their composure, allowed their emotions to get the better of them and let the Heat get in their heads. Joakim Noah picked up another technical foul in the first period when he shoved Miami's Chris "Birdman" Anderson off Nate Robinson after Anderson fell on Robinson. Bulls center Nazr Mohammed earned an ejection in the second quarter when he shoved LeBron James after fouling the reigning NBA MVP hard. (James received a technical on the play.)
The Bulls managed to play the Heat tight in the first half and headed to the locker room down two after 24 minutes of play. But the Heat took control in the second half with James leading the way. He scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half. Chris Bosh added a double double (20 points, 19 rebounds) for Miami. Carlos Boozer scored 21 points for Chicago, Jimmy Butler and Robinson scored 17 each (with Butler playing all 48 minutes in the game again) and Noah had his own double double with 15 points and 11 boards.
One can't deny this Bulls squad's heart, but playing an eight man rotation with Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich still out has taken its toll on the team's energy level. They certainly can't let the Heat's physical play get to them. Mohammed said after the game he was surprised at his ejection and doubted shoving James would lead to a suspension for Game 4.
Game 4 is set for 6 p.m. Monday at the United Center.
The Sox welcomed Dayan Viciedo back to the lineup after recovering from an oblique muscle strain and he responded with a 1-for-3 night at the plate with two RBIs. Alejandro De Aza had another leadoff homer. But the Sox defense, one of the team's strengths in their surprising 2012 campaign, let them down again. The South Siders committed two errors, including one by Conor Gillaspie in the seventh inning that led the Angels to victory.
The Cubs lineup was able to hit Ross Detwiler at Nationals Park Friday night and collected seven doubles among their 10 hits. But they couldn't plate any runners from those, hitting 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranding seven. Jeff Samardzija fell to 1-5 on the season. He allowed seven runs, five unearned, including a two-run home run to Ian Desmond in the fourth inning.