Bulls rally to beat Heat, end losing slide

MIAMI, USA – Pau Gasol tallied 16 points and 15 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls snapped a two-game skid with a 89-78 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night, April 9 (Friday in Manila).

It was Gasol’s 51st double-double of the season – currently the most by any player. 

Chicago rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit, outscoring the Heat 33-8 in the third quarter before cruising to victory in the fourth.

Taj Gibson also posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Derrick Rose, who was playing in just his second game since returning from knee surgery, added 12 points.

Dwyane Wade finished with just nine points on four-of-20 shooting, while Hassan Whiteside had 19 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Heat.

Miami fell 1 1/2 games behind the Nets for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls already have a spot in the playoffs but are still jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday and have now won two of three meetings with Miami this season.

Miami still holds the edge overall having won seven of their last 11 games against the Bulls. – Rappler.com