Leave it to LeBron James to put into proper perspective the Miami Heat’s 27-game winning streak–the second-longest in NBA history–that ended Wednesday night in Chicago.
“We haven’t had a chance to really have a moment to know what we just did,” James said. “We had a moment, just very fortunate, very humbling and blessed to be part of this team and be part of a streak like that.”
The Bulls, playing without Joakim Noah (and, of course, point guard Derrick Rose), performed with a purpose usually reserved for playoff games in their 101-97 victory. More than once they corralled James on one of his patented power drives, sending him to the foul line instead of allowing a dunk.
James admitted to being frustrated at the physicality. Kirk Hindrich virtually tackled him in the first quarter and Taj Gibson’s forceful defense seemed to make contact around James’ neck in the fourth period. It was that play that set off James, who, in a rare display of aggravation, was assessed a flagrant foul for ramming into Carlos Boozer as he set a screen.
“Those are not basketball plays and it’s been happening all year,” James said. “I’ve been able to keep my cool and try to tell (coach Erik Spoelstra), ‘Let’s not worry about it too much,’ but it is getting to me a little bit.”
Coming up a little bit short of 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers’ league-record of 33 straight victories was disappointing for the Heat. But the magnitude of the run was not lost on them.
The had not lost a game since February 1.
“It’s one of the best that this league has ever seen,” James said. “We recognized that and rightfully so.”
Chicago had to play spectacular basketball to end Miami’s run. Luol Deng ha 28 points and Boozer added 21 and 17 rebounds to offset James’ 32 points and the specter of another late Miami comeback. The Heat overcame seven double-digit deficits during the streak, including a 27-point hole against James’ old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“We understand, probably more so later on in our careers, the significance of that. And then that was it,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We took that moment to acknowledge it, to acknowledge each other, that experience, but it was never about the streak. We have a bigger goal, but also right now, it’s about ‘Are we getting better?’ “
