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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Heat notebook

Chicago Bulls’ Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng lag behind Derrick Rose in rehab

Although the Bulls still won’t rule out a return by point guard Derrick Rose, it became clear Thursday that forward Luol Deng and guard Kirk Hinrich aren’t close to being recovered from their ailments.

Heat | Norris Cole

Norris Cole proves to be an unlikely hero in big win over Bulls

Norris Cole put up 18 points in two games in a row to change the perception that he is not a big difference maker for the Heat.

CHICAGO Bulls | Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer’s improved effort still not enough

The Bulls’ Carlos Boozer put forth a better effort Friday than in the first two games of the series, scoring 21 points.

Heat notebook

Game 3: Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls embrace the physical game

It seems neither the Heat nor the Bulls are shying away from the physical nature of their second-round series after the overly aggressive nature of Game 2.

Game 2 | Heat 115, Bulls 78

Miami Heat pummels Chicago Bulls to tie series

In a game plagued by technicals and hard fouls, Miami responded to its Game 1 loss by handing Chicago its worst playoff loss ever.

In My Opinion

Linda Robertson: This time, Miami Heat pushes back and never looks back

The Miami Heat’s flaccid performance against the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 demanded a counterpunch.

In My Opinion

Greg Cote: Sense of order restored after Miami Heat’s Game 2 blowout win

It was a brutal night full of elbows and animus, but a thing of desperate beauty through the prism of downtown Miami. The basketball game was a graffiti spray of nine technical fouls, a flagrant foul and two ejections but looked like a masterpiece to Heat fans. So it figures that the one most memorable play of Heat-Bulls Game 2 here Wednesday night was not about elegance or art but about power flexing itself with an angry sneer.

Physical play

Dwyane Wade: Miami Heat needed to get into ‘the fight’

The Heat and Bulls combined for nine technical fouls, the most in an NBA playoff game in 18 years.

Heat’s big run

Miami Heat’s 33-9 surge sparks historic rout

Miami took over Game 2 against the Bulls with a decisive run that gave the Heat its largest victory margin in a playoff game.

Heat notebook

Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra doesn’t win Coach of the Year, avoids ‘jinx’

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra suggested Wednesday the fact he didn’t win the NBA Coach of the Year — he finished second to Denver’s George Karl — was actually a good thing.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls yield to pressure in loss to Miami Heat

The Bulls knew the Heat’s counterpunch was coming.

Miami Heat Game 5 tickets on sale Thursday

The Miami Heat individual game tickets for Game 5 of the best-of-seven series against the Chicago Bulls will go on sale at 2 p.m. Thursday, the team announced.

The Heat fan who gave the bird to a Bull

Meet Filomena Tobias, whose flagrant personal foul against Chicago’s Joakim Noah turned her into an Internet curiosity.

Game 2: Heat vs. Bulls | 7 p.m. Wed., TNT

Miami Heat ready to reload for Game 2 against Chicago Bulls

The Heat’s shooters say they’ll take aim if the Bulls pack the paint again.