NBA Game Summary - Chicago at Miami 04.16.2006
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Miami, FL (Basketball News) - Luol Deng celebrated his 21st birthday in style with a game-high 26 points, as the Chicago Bulls clinched a spot in the playoffs with a 117-93 victory over the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena.
Deng had 17 of those points in the first half, as the Bulls rallied from a 15- point deficit to win their fourth consecutive game. It was also their first victory at Miami since January 18, 2000, ending an 11-game road skid versus the Heat.
Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni each added 18 points, while Kirk Hinrich finished with 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Bulls, winners in eight of their last nine games.
Because the Bulls won, Orlando and Philadelphia had their postseason hopes dashed. Washington also officially clinched a spot in the playoffs.
Antoine Walker had 22 points for the Heat, who are locked in the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Shaquille O’Neal added 14 points, but Dwyane Wade struggled with just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting. Wade had his franchise- record streak of 78 straight games of double figures snapped, as the Heat had a two-game win streak broken.