Despite the absences of Ben Wallace, Luol Deng, and Ben Gordon, the Bulls were able to finish the first half of the season in fine form, snuffing Miami, 99-92. Kurt Hinrich, coming off the bench after being sidelined with a rib injury, put up 24 for Chicago, including a crucial jumper with just over two minutes left in regulation, the Chicago Tribune reports.
"Maybe I'll keep him coming off the bench the rest of the season," Interim coach Jim Boylan joked after the game. Despite a game high 30 points from Dwyane Wade, the beknighted Heat could not prevent their ninth straight loss. They have won only once in their past 25 contests. The win positions Chicago at ten games under .500. (More NBA stories.)