Tempers are flaring in the Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, which Miami leads 2-1. Game 4 will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and is being broadcast on TNT. The game can be live streamed for free by clicking this link. Fans of the Heat can listen to the action at 560 WQAM while Bulls fans can hear the game on ESPN 1000.
When the series began the talk was about LeBron James' invincibility, juxtaposed with the Bulls' whole roster being afflicted with injuries of every sort, from torn anterior cruciate ligaments (Derrick Rose), to calf bruises (Kirk Hinrich), and even spinal taps (Luol Deng).
Despite the injuries, however, the Bulls have mucked the series up with their physicality, drawing several technical fouls and garnering three ejections. Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson were sent packing in Game 2 because of multiple technicals, while reserve center Nazr Mohammed was thrown out of Game 3 for pushing James to the floor after James was whistled for a technical foul of his own.
Even Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau has been disciplined for criticizing the referees; following Game 3 he told reporters he doesn't expect his team to receive the benefit of the doubt against Miami, which cost him $35,000.
While the action has been heated and scuffles have broken out, both teams entered the series with expectations of this sort. "Both teams are tough and aggressive," Gibson said. "It's playoff basketball. We're both rivals. They acknowledged it. We acknowledged it. It's just guys going after it playing like they don't like each other. But it's just playoff basketball."
James also has shaken off accusations that he flopped after being shoved by Mohammed. "I don't need to flop," James said. "I play an aggressive game. I don't flop. I've never been one of those guys."
Instead of worrying about whether James is flopping, the Bulls must figure out a way to stop James from controlling games. He is averaging 22.7 points and 7.7 assists per game in the semifinals, both team highs, while grabbing seven rebounds (second on the Heat) and leading Miami in steals (2.3).
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