MIAMI
What happened: The Miami Heat had no rust on them Wednesday. The Heat, shaking off a Game 1 loss to Chicago in the an Eastern Conference semifinal Monday after seven days off, got back to their dominating ways with a 115-78 win in Game 2 at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Heat had won 41 of 43 games before Monday’s shocker. But they took control Wednesday late in the first quarter and cruised to victory in a physical game. The game featured Bulls big men Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson being ejected. There were nine technicals (six on Chicago and three on Miami) and a flagrant foul by Heat center Chris Andersen. Forward LeBron James scored just two points in the first half in Game 1. But he came out aggressive in Game 2, scoring all 19 of his points in the first half. The Heat got a game-high 21 points from guard Ray Allen. And they held Chicago guard Nate Robinson, who had 27 points in Game 1, to just 11. The turning point: Trailing 15-12 midway through the first quarter, the Heat went on a 43-26 run to close the half and lead 55-41 at intermission. They spent the second half extending the lead. James was the key to the first-half run. He had 15 points during it. The difference maker: James wasted no time in making sure it would be him individually. He shot 6 of 6 for 12 points in the first quarter and finished the night 7 of 12 from the field. Team wise, a big difference was rebounding. After being battered on the glass 46-32 in the Game 1 93-86 loss, the Heat won the battle of the boards 41-28. It marked the first time in six games between the teams this season Miami had won the rebounding battle. What it means: This is going to continue to be a physical series. But you better believe the officials will make sure Game 3 doesn’t get out of hand after the happenings in Game 2. The Heat showed Wednesday they can bang with Chicago, which has been physical with them all season. They’ll have to keep showing it. What's next: Game 3 of the series is at 8 p.m. Friday at the United Center.
Chris Tomasson can be reached at christomasson@hotmail.com or on Twitter @christomasson.
