Every game becomes more and more important in the race for positioning in the Eastern Conference as the season winds down. Everyone is chasing the Boston Celtics for the first seed in the playoffs. But with the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat all battling one another this week, it took on a whole new meaning. Each team has their own MVP candidate and only a few games separate their teams from the second and the fourth seed in the East. Here is a recap from February 28 to March 6.** **** **
Chicago** Bulls: 3-1*** *
(105-77 @ Washington, 80-83 @ Atlanta, 89-81 @ Orlando, 87-86 @ Miami)****
Monday, February 28
The Bulls cruised to an easy victory against the Wizards with good defense and a balanced attack on offense. Derrick Rose and Luol Deng had 21 apiece, while Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah both had double-doubles while only giving up 77 points on the road.****
Wednesday, March 2
The Bulls blew a 19 point first half lead losing to Al Horford and the Atlanta Hawks. Chicago’s offense went stagnate, scoring only 30 points in the second half. Horford had a huge overall game scoring 31 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. Rose struggled from the field going 5-21 (12 points) while dishing out 12 assists.****
Friday, March 4
Omer Asik had a game to remember against the MVP candidate Howard, as Chicago beat Orlando on the road 89-81. Asik had a career-high 13 rebounds and played excellent defense with Noah in foul trouble. Howard had another 20-10 performance, however the Bulls team defense made him earn every basket.****
Sunday, March 06
Chicago was only the third team this season to pull off the southern Florida sweep beating the Heat in another close game. The Bulls struggled early down 9 at halftime, but again made great second half adjustments against the big 3 and excellent defense down the stretch. Rose proved to be the MVP frontrunner over the weekend, with big wins over Howard, LeBron and Wade.****
Chicago continues to rack up good wins as they work Noah back into the rotation. Rose maintains his push for MVP and the Bulls seem to have the best bench in the league. Asik has been the most important player since the All-Star break averaging 8 rebounds while clogging the paint.
MVP Watch: Derrick Rose 21 points, 7.5 ast, 3.75 reb (4 games)
Orlando** Magic: 2-1****
(116-110 vs New York, 99-96 @ Miami, 81-89 vs Chicago)****
Tuesday, March 1
Howard and the Magic beat Amare, Carmelo and the New Look Knicks despite Hedu Turkoglu being tossed after picking up his second technical foul in the second quarter. Jameer Nelson took over in the second half, scoring 20 of his 23 points in the second half as the Magic erased an 11 point halftime deficit.****
Thursday, March 3
In a premium matchup of Florida’s NBA elite, the Magic rallied back from 24 down to beat the Miami Heat. Down 18 at halftime, Orlando limited the Heat to only 33 second half points. A 22-7 run to end the third and 18-2 burst to start the fourth, helped complete the second largest comeback in team history.****
Friday, March 4
The Chicago defense was too much for Orlando as the Magic lost to the Bulls 81-89. Dwight Howard picked up his 16th technical foul in the second quarter and will miss Monday’s game against Portland due to a suspension.****
Howard is doing everything in his power to keep the Magic competitive against the NBA’s elite teams. Jameer Nelson stepped up the last week with big games against New York and Miami and looks to be Orlando’s second option. Yet the Magic are still waiting for the new additions of Jason Richardson, Gilbert Arenas and Turkoglu to find their roles with the team.
MVP Watch: Dwight Howard 21.4 points, 14.7 reb, 4.7 blk (3 games)
Miami** Heat: 0-3****
(96-99 vs Orlando, 95-125 @ San Antonio, 86-87 vs Chicago)****
Thursday, March 3
The big 3 collapsed in the second half at home losing to the Orlando Magic. After blowing a 24 point lead, the Heat found themselves down three with eight seconds left. Chris Bosh missed from the top of the key and LeBron James hit off the front iron losing another heartbreaker. Dwayne Wade and LeBron combined for 47 in the first half, but only 10 down the stretch.****
Friday, March 4
The Heat came out flat against the San Antonio Spurs getting blown out by 30 on the road. The Spurs jumped all over Miami from the start, leading 36-12 after the first quarter. San Antonio had 8 players in double figures and made 17-28 three point field goals.****
Sunday, March 06
Miami again couldn’t close the game out late as Chicago outlasted the Heat 87-86. Down 2 in the final seconds, Deng was fouled going across the lane. After making the first of two free throws, Deng missed the second, but was fouled again by Mike Miller going after the rebound. The Heat had a chance to win it down one following the free throws. The Bulls switched on defense, but LeBron missed the layup over Noah and Wade bricked a baseline jumper to end the game. Miami has now lost 5 of their last 6 games.****
****LeBron, Wade, Bosh and the Heat continue to struggle against teams over .500. Sunday was also the 12th and 13th consecutive missed shots by Miami with a chance to tie or win the game. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier either, with their next seven games against playoff teams (Portland, Lakers, Memphis, San Antonio, OKC, Atlanta and Denver).
MVP Watch: LeBron James 27 points, 7.3 reb. 5.7 ast (3 games)