The Miami Heat used stifling defense to hold the Chicago Bulls to 30 percent shooting in the first half and took a commanding 54-33 lead into the break at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night.
Bulls vs. Heat score update: Heat pull away with huge 2nd quarter, 54-33
The Bulls started off stride-for-stride with the defending champs but grew stagnant on both ends in the second frame.
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Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat team coverage: Blog a Bull Hot Hot Hoops
The Heat started off slowly but outscored the Bulls 37-18 in the second quarter as they appeared to put the pregame ring ceremony behind them.
LeBron James continued to showcase his diverse skillset and filled up the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds and three assists. Shane Battier was a key component in Miami's effort to space the floor and added 11 points off the bench to lead the Heat in scoring.
Carlos Boozer was the lone bright spot for Chicago, totaling a game-high 19 points through the first two frames and adding five rebounds. Derrick Rose's return has been spoiled to this point by four turnovers, though he's amassed seven points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field.
The Bulls shot just 18.2 percent from the three-point line and committed 13 turnovers.
The Heat, on the other hand, shot 45.2 percent from the field and a blazing 58.3 percent from beyond the arc.
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