NBA Game Summary - Miami at Chicago

Chicago, IL (Basketball News) - Ben Gordon scored nine of his 29 points in overtime and collected 20 of Chicago’s final 28 points overall, leading the Bulls to a 105-101 victory over a Miami Heat squad that played all but two minutes of the game without center Shaquille O’Neal.

Included in Gordon’s spectacular play down the stretch was a trio of three- pointers late in the fourth quarter that helped the Bulls overcome a seven- point deficit.

The rookie guard then scored eight straight points to start overtime, handing Chicago a 100-92 lead after Miami’s Eddie Jones tied the game at the fourth quarter buzzer with a no-look tip-in.

"The first one that goes in — it doesn’t matter if it’s a three or a layup — when I hit that first shot I know I won’t miss too many after that," Gordon said.

Things got tighter near the end after a Damon Jones three-pointer got the Heat within 103-101, but two free throws by Chris Duhon in the final 13 seconds of overtime sealed Chicago’s fourth straight win and sent Miami to its first loss in eight games.

O’Neal did not return after straining his left knee just 1:46 into the first quarter when he landed awkwardly on Bulls forward Othella Harrington. X-rays performed were negative and the team said he will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

"If he can’t play, I’ll just need to be more assertive," said Miami’s Dwyane Wade said. "It’s up to me to make plays."

Wade scored 21 points with 11 assists and six rebounds to pace the East- leading Heat in O’Neal’s stead. Damon Jones added 18 points and Eddie Jones scored 15 in the loss.

Eddy Curry chipped in 16 points for the Bulls, Luol Deng scored 14 and Tyson Chandler had a game-high 12 rebounds.

Miami held an 88-81 lead with 3:40 remaining in regulation before Gordon’s three three-pointers — including one that he banked in — keyed an 11-2 run for the Heat that gave them a 92-90 lead with 39 seconds left.

Gordon even grabbed a rebound at the other end when Eddie Jones missed on a three-point attempt.

But the same Jones came up big in the end with his no-look put back, which followed a missed attempt by Damon Jones. The ball breached the hoop just as the last second ticked away.

Without O’Neal, the Heat led by as many as 12 points in the first half when Malik Allen’s free throw made it 44-32 with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter. But Chicago ended the half on an 11-1 run to pull within 45-43 at the break.

The Bulls shot just 39 percent in the half, compared to Miami’s 47 percent.