Chicago Bulls' Andres Nocioni (left) of Argentina shoots under pressure from Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem during Game 4 of their Eastern Conference NBA basketball play-off in Miami yesterday. The Bulls won 92-79 to sweep the defending champions 4-0 in the best-of-seven first round play-off series. - ReutersMIAMI (AP):
Michael Jordan's old Chicago jersey hangs over the Miami Heat's home floor, a tribute to the six-time NBA champions.
Now, a new bunch of Bulls want a title of their own after ending the Heat's reign atop the league with a four-game sweep.
Ben Gordon scored 24 points and Luol Deng had 22 to lead Chicago past Miami 92-79 yesterday in Game 4 to clinch the first-round Eastern Conference series. The Bulls advanced in the postseason for the first time since Jordan's last title in 1998.
Chicago, who meet Detroit next, became the first team to oust the defending champions in the first round since Phoenix did it to San Antonio in 2000.
Confident
"We felt confident coming into this series," Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich said. "We felt like we could win."
With good reason. Including playoffs, Chicago were 7-1 against Miami this season, starting with a 108-66 win on opening night, spoiling the Heat's championship-ring celebration, and ending their season by allowing only two points in the final 5:27 of the clincher ?— closing the game with a 14-2 run.
Dwyane Wade scored 24 points for Miami on 8-for-22 shooting, and added 10 assists. Shaquille O'Neal had 16 points, Alonzo Mourning scored 14 and James Posey had 18 rebounds ?— a club-play-off record 17 on the defensive end ?— for the Heat.
