Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem and Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah fight for a loose ball in the third quarter in Round 2, Game 5, of the NBA Playoffs at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, May 15, 2013.

IN MY OPINION

Linda Robertson: Chicago Bulls gasp as Miami Heat cuts lifeline

Early on, it appeared the spent and sore Chicago Bulls were going to take their medicine and go home for some well-deserved R&R.

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade, dunks over Bulls' Joakim Noah # 13 and Nate Robinson # 2, with two minutes left in the fourth quarter of the Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls, NBA Eastern Conference playoffs round 2, game 5 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

IN MY OPINION

Greg Cote: Dwyane Wade’s heroics help Miami Heat in comeback

Welcome back, Dwyane Wade.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls show heart in face of adversity

Although they were eliminated from the playoffs in five games by the Heat, the gritty Bulls fought to the end and never gave up.

Miami Heat's Shane Battier blocks Chicago Bulls' Carlos Boozer in the third quarter in Round 2, Game 5, of the NBA Playoffs at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, May 15, 2013.

Heat | bench

Reserves spark Miami Heat comeback

Shane Battier and Norris Cole combined for 13 points in the fourth quarter, providing the boost the Heat needed to rally for a victory.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) drives the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Marco Belinelli (8) during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference semifinal on Monday, May 13, 2013, in Chicago.

Heat notebook

Miami Heat awaits winner of Knicks-Pacers series; tickets on sale Thursday

Just as it did after dispatching the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, the Heat could face another long layoff before its next playoff series.

MIAMI HEAT

Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade intends to play despite painful knee injury: ‘It is what it is’

Dwyane Wade’s right knee is virtually being held together by bandages, and he’s averaging 11.3 points in the Bulls series. But he wants to keep playing.

Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat passes against Marco Belinelli #8 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 13, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Heat defeated the Bulls 88-65.

IN MY OPINION

David J. Neal: Miami Heat must play matador and slay Chicago Bulls

Can the Heat please put this series out of our misery Wednesday night?

Miami Heat's Norris Cole leaps for a rebound with Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah in the second quarter in Round 2, Game 4, of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, May 13, 2013.

Heat notebook

Erik Spoelstra plays Miami Heat point guards more

During key moments in the past year, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra often would navigate key late-game stretches without a natural point guard, opting instead for Shane Battier and Ray Allen to play alongside the Big 3.

Miami Heat fan Filomena Tobias gives the middle finger to Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah.

Gossip extra

Miami Heat’s ‘middle finger lady’ apologizes to fans

Socialite Filomena Tobias — the Miami Heat’s middle finger lady — came out of her self-imposed silence before Wednesday night’s Heat-Bulls game and apologized for her behavior during the series’ Game 2. Photo Gallery Available

Miami Heat's LeBron James in the fourth quarter as he dominates the Chicago Bulls in Round 2, Game 4, of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, May 13, 2013. Bulls' Jimmy Butler and Joakin Noah watch as he walks away.

Game 4: Heat 88, Bulls 65

Miami Heat pummels Chicago Bulls, takes 3-1 lead in series

This is like watching a barely conscious prizefighter being pummeled against the ropes but unable to fall — hard to watch but harder to look away.

IN MY OPINION

Greg Cote: Miami Heat’s playoff health tied to Dwyane Wade

Most of the unusually low numbers from this game should delight Heat fans. Those numbers stunk up this city Monday night and all but required the Bulls arena to be immediately fumigated following this NBA playoff series Game 4 here. Those numbers were Chicago’s meager 65 points scored on abysmal 25.7 percent shooting — both owing largely to a Miami defense that is that good, yes.

MIami Heat's Chris Andersen blocks Chicago Bulls' Marquis Teague in the fourth quarter in Round 2, Game 4, of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, May 13, 2013.

Bulls | Offensive struggles

Awful shooting seals Chicago Bulls’ fate in Game 4

Injuries were a big enough problem for the Bulls — and then they shot 25.7 percent and set a team playoff mark for fewest points (65).

Miami Heat's LeBron James and Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah lock arms during the fourth quarter in Round 2, Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, IL, May 10, 2013.

Heat notebook

Miami Heat’s LeBron James named to NBA All-Defensive First Team

Coaches around the NBA voted LeBron James to his fifth consecutive NBA All-Defensive First Team for the 2012-13 season, the league announced Monday.

Miami Heat's Chris Bosh warms up in the tunnel leading to the court as they prepare to play the Chicago Bulls in Round 2, Game 4, of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, May 13, 2013.

Heat | Bosh

Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh has another strong performance in Game 4

Chris Bosh finished with 14 points in Game 4 on Monday night after scoring 20 and grabbing 19 rebounds in Game 3.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, center, and forward LeBron James, right, get their knees wrapped with ice after a workout in preparation for Game 4 of the team's Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Chicago Bulls at practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago on May 12, 2013.

Heat | Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade OK with sacrifices in pursuit of Miami Heat victories

In 2010, Dwyane Wade accepted a diminished role in exchange for greater on-court success. So far, that trade has paid off. Video Available Photo Gallery Available

The Miami Heat's Norris Cole (30) shoots over the Chicago Bulls' Nate Robinson (2) in the fourth quarter in Game 3 of Eastern Conference semifinals at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, May 10, 2013. Miami took a 2-1 series lead with a 104-94 victory.

Heat | Norris Cole

Miami Heat’s Norris Cole works his way into key role

Unheralded Norris Cole has earned a significant role with the star-laden Heat because of his great work ethic.

LeBron James, alongside Pat Riley (at right) and coach Erik Spoelstra, wins his 4th MVP trophy from the NBA at AmericanAirlines Arena on Sunday, May 5, 2013

In My Opinion

Dan Le Batard: LeBron James finds strength in support of Miami Heat family

Legend leader Pat Riley, equal parts shaman and mobster, told this story at the Heat’s Family Day, symbolically enough. He was trying to explain with a parable why he — and, by extension, the entire Miami Heat organization — had so publicly told Boston general manager Danny Ainge to shut the bleep up. Family Day. Shut The Bleep Up. Seriously. Riley was not smiling in any way while reliving this.

Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and LeBron James slap five after desfeating the Chicago Bulls in Round 2, Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, IL, May 10, 2013.

Heat 104, Bulls 94

Miami Heat defeats Chicago Bulls, pulls ahead 2-1 in series

Back in March, the Bulls ended the Heat’s 27-game winning streak in this building they call “The Madhouse.” Photo Gallery Available Poll Available

The Miami Heat's LeBron James screams after a late fourth quarter three-pointer as they defeat the Chicago Bulls in Round 2, Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., May 10, 2013.

In my opinion

Greg Cote: Physicality of raging Bulls is being met

Imagine the National Guard deployed to militarize the perimeter of the basketball court in the expectation of more mayhem. Uniformed police officers with nightsticks are serving as the game’s officials. The whole spectacle plays out surrounded by an octagon cage. Poll Available

Miami Heat

Miami Heat must take assertive play on the road against Chicago Bulls

As the battle between the Heat and Bulls moves to Chicago, the defending champions say they must continue to impose their will. Poll Available

IN MY OPINION

IN MY OPINION

Chicago Bulls

Heat | bench

Heat notebook

MIAMI HEAT

IN MY OPINION

Heat notebook

Gossip extra

Game 4: Heat 88, Bulls 65

IN MY OPINION

Bulls | Offensive struggles

Heat notebook

Heat | Bosh

Heat | Dwyane Wade

Heat | Norris Cole

In My Opinion

Heat 104, Bulls 94

In my opinion

Miami Heat

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