Rose, Bulls lose to Heat 101-93

[May 25, 2011]  MIAMI (AP) -- When Derrick Rose had a chance to win the game and tie the series, he came up short. In fact, his shot failed to reach the rim.

The miss from 17 feet as the fourth quarter ended sent Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals into overtime, and the Miami Heat took advantage of the reprieve Tuesday to beat the Chicago Bulls 101-93.

"Tonight definitely was on me," Rose said. "It really was my fault, but I'm going to learn from it."

With three consecutive losses for the first time this season, the Bulls trail 3-1 in the series. To stay alive they need a win Thursday in Game 5 at Chicago.

"It's not over," Rose said. "We still have games to play. We've just got to stay positive. They are beatable."

The Bulls will need a better showing by Rose, who was neutralized for the third game in a row. The NBA MVP scored 23 points, but he shot only 8 for 27 and committed seven turnovers.

Rose went 1 for 9 from 3-point range, but was closer than that when he had a shot at a win.

His breakaway layup with 2:32 left put Chicago up 82-80. But after that he committed a turnover, made only one of two free throws for an 85-all tie and missed a jumper with 28 seconds left.

The score was still 85-85 when LeBron James was called for a charge with 8 seconds to go, giving Rose another chance to be the hero. Working against James after a timeout, Rose created space for himself and launched a jumper with 2 seconds remaining.

"You just try to keep him out of the paint," James said. "All you can do is contest. I made him take a tough one."

The ball barely brushed the front of the net, forcing the overtime.

"I just tried to get a good look," Rose said. "LeBron played good defense. It was on line, but just a little bit too short."

"He missed," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "But listen, Derrick Rose -- I wouldn't want to have any other guy. I'm with that guy all the way. He's a great player, a great competitor, and I have great belief in him."

Consecutive turnovers -- the second by Rose -- sealed Chicago's fate in the extra period. In the fourth quarter and overtime Rose went 1 for 8, often while guarded by James.

"It's extremely hard where a 6-8 guy can easily defend you," the 6-foot-3 Rose said. "When he's running at top speed, he can easily catch up with you."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said James volunteered for the defensive assignment.

"Two remarkably explosive athletes going at it," Spoelstra said.

"I love defense much more than I do offense," James said. "I take pride in that side of the floor."

The late fizzle was familiar for the Bulls, who have been outscored after the third quarter in each of the past three games. This time they had a 68-63 lead after three periods, then missed their first five shots of the fourth quarter.

After winning the first game of the series, the Bulls were 4-0 against the Heat this year. Now they're 4-3.

The latest loss came even though Chicago outscored Miami in the paint 44-24 and held Dwyane Wade to 14 points.

"It was a fight out there," Bulls center Joakim Noah said. "Everybody really brought it effort-wise. It just wasn't enough."

James scored 35 points, and Heat reserves Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers all made a big impact.

So did Miami's swarming defense, which limited the Bulls to 40 percent shooting. They made only 6 of 24 3-pointers.

Struggling worst was Rose, who has missed two-thirds of his shots -- 46 of 69 -- in the past three games.

There was a stretch midway through Game 4 when Rose was able to find his way to the basket. He shot 2 for 11 before making a breakaway dunk after bursting past Chalmers. He was fouled on the shot and made the free throw.

A short time later, Rose beat Haslem, dunked over Joel Anthony and was fouled again. He again made the free throw.

Then a 9-0 run by the Bulls put them ahead 57-48.

"Right now guys are blowing by us," Spoelstra told his team during the subsequent timeout.

Mostly that guy was Rose, and thereafter Miami kept him mostly on the perimeter, where he has struggled. He's shooting only 25 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs, compared with 33 percent during the regular season.

Rose is well aware he has fallen shy of expectations.

"It makes you play harder," Rose said. "If you want to be great, you're going to want pressure. My teammates have confidence in me. Tonight was definitely a tough night. You've just got to find a way to finish the game in the fourth quarter."

[Associated Press; By STEVEN WINE]

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