Heat rally, eliminate Bulls from NBA playoffs

TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | A fast start and faster finish were enough to send the Miami Heat back to the Eastern Conference finals.

Dunn's 2 HRs, 5 RBIs lead White Sox over Twins

DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS | Last in the American League in hitting and scoring, the White Sox started to find some offense this week in Minnesota.

AL HAMNIK COLUMN: Bulls bracing for the end and probably know it

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

CHICAGO | What do you do, what do you say, when the end is inevitable?

Down 3-1 in series with Heat, Bulls left gasping for it

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | Dumb basketball doesn't produce wins, only critics, and the shorthanded Bulls have had their share against the Heat.

James shrugs off flopping accusations

Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | The suggestion that he's a flopper drew a grin as wide as his wingspan from LeBron James.

AL HAMNIK: Bulls' checklist holds the key in Game 4 with Heat

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

CHICAGO | You can't stop Sasquatch with spitballs.

Bulls run out of gas, trail Heat in series 2-1

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | The Miami Heat is not some 13-headed monster from outer space devouring everything in its path.

AL HAMNIK: Shorthanded Bulls haven't lost the chip on their shoulder

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

CHICAGO | Coach Tom Thibodeau says we're missing the real story.

Bulls, Heat prepare for Friday's pivotal Game 3

JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer

DEERFIELD, Ill. | It started with the flu, and turned into a hospital stay. There were terrible headaches and weakness. Just walking was a chore.

Heat rout Bulls 115-78

TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | Joakim Noah was fired up Wednesday night. Maybe too fired up.

Bulls steal Game 1

Tim Reynolds AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | Nate Robinson scored 27 points, Jimmy Butler added 21 points and 14 rebounds while playing every second for the third straight game, and the Bulls stunned the Miami Heat 93-86 on Monday night to take Game 1 of their Eastern Conference…

AL HAMNIK: Forget what's his name and focus on active Bulls

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

Quit dumping your vitriol on Derrick Rose, OK?

Heat, Bulls set to start East semifinals

TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | If needed, there's plenty of things Miami and Chicago could use as extra motivation before meeting in a playoff series, like how the Heat rolled to a win when they met in the Eastern Conference finals two years ago or how the Bulls sn…

Bulls advance with Game 7 win over Nets

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | Joakim Noah climbed over the baseline seats, his foot that hurt so much two weeks ago that he feared he couldn't play looking pain-free as he embraced his mother.

Banged-up Bulls, Nets ready for Game 7 in Brooklyn

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | Time for the Nets' biggest game in Brooklyn.

Bulls suddenly all tied up

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | Bulls' coach Tom Thibodeau said he felt great.

Bulls try again to close out Nets

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | The Chicago Bulls looked like they were ready to eliminate Deron Williams and the Brooklyn Nets and move on to the second round of the playoffs.

Bulls will try again to finish off Nets

Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | The Bulls had a chance to put away the Brooklyn Nets. Instead, they stumbled.

Nets' win trims Bulls' series lead

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | Brook Lopez had 28 points and 10 rebounds, Deron Williams added 23 points and 10 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Bulls 110-91 on Monday night, cutting Chicago's lead to 3-2 in the first-round playoff series.

NBA owner Michael Jordan marries over the weekend

STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

Michael Jordan got married over the weekend in front of a few hundred of his family and closest friends.

Down 3-1 after collapse, Nets not looking back

BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | No use looking back now for the Brooklyn Nets.

Bulls one win from eliminating Brooklyn Nets

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | Former Bulls' guard C.J. Watson thought it was funny at the time.

AL HAMNIK: Nate Robinson's epic quarter not of this world

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

CHICAGO | Nate Robinson isn't human.

Bulls take nervous 2-1 series lead on Brooklyn Nets

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | How important is point guard Deron Williams to the Brooklyn Nets? Try five years at $98 million.

AL HAMNIK: Noah doubt whatsoever who Bulls' MVP has been this season

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

CHICAGO | Free spirit Joakim Noah has undergone an amazing transformation from clown to All-Star since joining the Bulls.

Noah, Johnson hobbled as Bulls, Nets resume series

Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

DEERFIELD, Ill. | Joakim Noah feels like he's running on needles and Joe Johnson can probably sympathize.

Back home, Bulls will try again to slow Williams

BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | There were two versions of Deron Williams this season, and the Chicago Bulls know they need to be playing the first one.

Bulls shut down Nets, even series at 1-1

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | Chicago evened its playoff series the only way it knows how: with bruising Bulls defense.

Bulls try to slow down Nets in Game 2

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau watches tape of the Nets and sees a confident team with an offense in rhythm.

Defense lacking, Noah limping as Bulls routed

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | The Bulls put together a couple of rallies while taking three of four from the Brooklyn Nets during the regular season.

Noah's status for Bulls in question

ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer

DEERFIELD, Ill. | Center Joakim Noah's status for the Chicago Bulls' first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets is in question because of his injured right foot.

Bulls eye playoffs after challenging season

Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | The Bulls won 45 games without a single point from Derrick Rose.

Coaching carousel starts to spin in NBA

TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

The first time Byron Scott was fired, Lawrence Frank took his job. Now they're both looking for work, and the NBA's coaching carousel is already spinning in three cities.

Bulls beat Wizards to lock up No. 5 seed in East

Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO | With their star sidelined all season and just about everyone else in their rotation banged up at some point, the Bulls did not take the easy road to the playoffs.

Gregg Popovich's Spurs must overcome injury bug as playoffs near

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

An aging roster riddled with injuries is what Spurs coach Gregg Popovich feared most heading into the playoffs.

Heat set franchise home mark, top Bulls 105-93

TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI | Carlos Boozer turned his shoulder and knocked Dwyane Wade to the floor, while Nate Robinson shoved LeBron James as the NBA's reigning MVP leaped near the basket.

Ex-Bulls player Bill Cartwright coaching in Japan

JIM ARMSTRONG AP Sports Writer

OSAKA, Japan | A decade removed from his last head coaching job, Bill Cartwright is back on the bench — bringing the five championship rings he won as a player and assistant coach for the Chicago Bulls to Japan.

Johnson scores 24 as Raptors beat Bulls

Ian Harrison Associated Press

TORONTO | The way they're struggling against losing teams right now, the Bulls are probably looking forward to Sunday's matchup with the Miami Heat.

Bulls turning into streak busters, cool off Knicks

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | If not for the players' union, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks' Mike Woodson might be recruiting bodies from the VIP seats.

Bulls survive on some magic of their own

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | With seven games and little practice time remaining in the regular season, you might think Friday's game with the struggling Orlando Magic would be a coffee break.

Bulls rally from 16 down to beat Nets

Brian Mahoney AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK | Down five key players. Down 16 points. A lot for any team to overcome.

Nowitzki lifts Mavericks past Bulls 100-98

The Associated Press

DALLAS | Dirk Nowitzki said the ball felt flat coming out of his hand.

Column: Streak is history, the question remains

Jim Litke AP Sports Columnist

CHICAGO | Losing game after game is nerve-racking, sure, but after a point, so is winning.

Bulls put the skids on streaking Heat

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com, (219) 933-4154

CHICAGO | Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals resumes Sunday in Chicago. Oh, wait. That's not true.

Robinson sparks Bulls to win over T-Wolves

Jon Krawczynski AP Basketball Writer

MINNEAPOLIS | Nate Robinson had 22 points and 10 assists and Carlos Boozer added 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-97 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Bulls fighting 'changing of guard' talk by Pacers

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219-933-4154)

CHICAGO | Bulls' fans have little to brag about, except maybe a few more available seats at the United Center due to an average season.

Pacers hold off late Bulls rally for 97-92 win

MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS | David West scored 31 points and George Hill added 20, leading the Pacers past the Bulls 97-92 in a Central Division showdown Sunday night.

Dennis Rodman worms his way into North Korea

JEAN H. LEE Associated Press

PYONGYANG, North Korea | Former NBA star Dennis Rodman brought his basketball skills and flamboyant style — tattoos, nose studs and all — on Tuesday to a country with possibly the world's strictest dress code: North Korea.

Balanced scoring leads Bulls past Bobcats

Steve Reed AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. | Taj Gibson said the Bulls need to get back to last season's philosophy of putting tough losses behind them and not dropping back-to-back games.