NBA: Miami Heat advance to Eastern Conference finals after 4-1 series win over Chicago Bulls

The Miami Heat staged a late rally to clinch their place in the Eastern Conference final with a 94-91 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Miami finally overcame the walking wounded of Chicago to win the series 4-1,  but not before one last stampede from the Bulls.

The Heat led by 18 early, running up to 22-4 lead before being outscored by 29 points over the next 27 minutes. Miami recovered from an 11-point deficit to outscore the Bulls 25-14 in the fourth quarter.

Dwyane Wade, troubled by knee problems throughout the season, withdrew to the locker room for some of the time that the Heat struggled, but returned in time to hit some crucial baskets in the fourth.

This has been the least productive postseason of Wade’s career, averaging just 12.3 points per game, but he looked somewhere near his best in the fourth quarter, even getting enough bounce in his step to slam and swing from the basket. Wade finished with 18 points.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be from Day One to Day Two. Only thing I can do is do what I’m doing. If it gets better, I think you guys will know, and if it doesn’t, I’ll continue to go out there and keep doing what I can,” said Wade.

“You do one of two things: You either sit out, watch your team play or you get in there and try to find a way to help your team win.”

Yet again LeBron James led Miami with 23 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Chris Bosh scored 12 points and Udonis Haslem added 10.

For the Bulls it was the end of a wild playoffs ride that saw the Brooklyn Nets finally overcome in a road Game Seven followed by a surprise Game One victory in Miami, but the lack of depth had finally taken its toll on Chicago.

Derrick Rose was missing for his 99th straight game, while Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich were also both still absent.

Miami will now face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.