Oct 29, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) is pressured by Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole (30) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
2013-14: Bulls hook up with Heat in playoff rematch
During LeBron James‘ four seasons with Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat, their meetings in the regular season and postseason were some of the best games on the NBA calendar.
The Bulls met the Heat in the playoffs twice in the “Big Three” era and were eliminated in five games after winning Game 1 in both series. Despite their lack of postseason success against James-led teams, the Bulls always gave the Heat all they could handle when they faced one another.
All U Can Heat
After the Heat won back-to-back titles, the 2013-14 season opener could only go one way: The Heat would host the Bulls on “Banner Night” to open the season. This game had more meaning than just another Bulls-Heat rivalry game. This would be the first game for Derrick Rose since tearing his ACL in the 2012 playoffs.
Rose missed the entire 2012-13 season after the ACL tear against Philadelphia, so his return brought even more intrigue to what was at the time, the league’s most intense rivalry. It was a rough night for Rose, as the former MVP shot 4-of-15 from the field and the Bulls would submit to the defending champions in the opener, 107-95.
On a strange note, former Bulls forward Carlos Boozer was virtually unstoppable in the opener, scoring 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting. Jimmy Butler (before his breakout campaign last season) also had a nice game with 20 points and five steals.
The Bulls would later get some payback over the next three meetings against Miami during the 2013-14, winning two of the final three match-ups, including a fun overtime game in March.
Next: 2012-13: Joakim Noah leads Bulls over Kings