NBA – Bulls, Heat take 2-0 leads in playoff series (video)

CHICAGO (NBA) - The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat moved a step closer to a potential Eastern Conference title showdown by winning for the second straight time in the playoffs on Monday.
 
The Bulls got 36 points from Team USA guard Derrick Rose and edged the Indiana Pacers 96-90 while Miami's LeBron James poured in 29 points to fire the Heat past Philadelphia, 94-73.
 
Chicago finished with the best record in the East ahead of Boston and Miami, but they have had to pull out all stops to beat the Pacers.
 
In Game 2, Indiana closed the gap to 90-88 when AJ Price was fouled by Rose behind the arc and capitalized by making all three free-throws.
 
Great Britain's Luol Deng answered with a pair at the charity stripe for the Bulls and following a missed three-ball from Mike Dunleavy of Indiana, Chicago’s Ronnie Brewer drilled two from the line.
 
Chicago ended up making their last 16 free-throws in the game.
 
"Our play has to get better," Rose said.
 
"We have to be more smooth, more efficient, especially on the defensive end where we have to try a lot harder. But I feel like we're going to get things together pretty quickly."
 
Indiana point guard Darren Collinson sprained his left ankle on a drive in the first half and may not play again against Chicago.
 
The Heat, who finished third behind Boston, scraped a narrow Game 1 victory against Philadelphia but hammered them in Game 2, 94-73.
 
James and Co were on top 49-31 by half-time and pressed home the advantage in the second half.
 
Chris Bosh, who has had his struggles this season, had 21 points and 11 rebounds after leading the Heat in scoring in Game 1 with 25.
 
Dwyane Wade finished with 14 points while Canada international Joel Anthony provided help on defense.
 
In 27 minutes off the bench, Anthony had three blocks and a steal to go with his six rebounds and four points.
 
On Tuesday night, Boston take a 1-0 lead into their home game against New York while Orlando trail 1-0 as they face visiting Atlanta.
 
Portland are also behind 1-0 going into Game 2 at Dallas.
 
Blazers coach Nate McMillan, an assistant to Team USA boss Mike Krzyzewski at the Beijing Olympics and 2010 FIBA World Championship, was fined $35,000 by the league after making comments about the refereeing in Game 1.
 
McMillan asked aloud why Dallas had taken 29 free-throws compared to just 13 for his Blazers.

Check out the top five plays from Monday's games

 
FIBA