CHICAGO – The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls had a fight to the finish Friday night.
Miami pulled away down the stretch to win 104-94 .
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LeBron James took over in the 4th quarter with a big 3-pointer and a big drive for a bucket and foul.
LeBron finished with 25 points.
Chris Bosh was a force for the Heat scoring 20 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.
Norris Cole was the star of the game off the bench for the Heat.
Cole scored 18 clutch points.
This game was physical and tough early on.
Chicago's Joakim Noah picked up a technical foul after shoving Chris Andersen.
A short time later, LeBron James received a technical for shoving Chicago's Nazr Mohammed.
Mohammed got to his feet and shoved LeBron to the floor.
Mohammed was ejected from the game. After the game, he tweeted a three part apology to fans:
"@NazrMohammed: sorry for my overreaction & being ejected. I blacked out & just reacted after being pushed down. I'm happy it only resulted with a push. For the kids who were watching.... that not the way to react on the basketball court. Hopefully if I'm in the same situation again I will control my emotions but u never know what ur instincts will do #SeeRed"
After the game, LeBron was asked why he did not engage. He told reporters "I mean way too much to my teammate to try to retaliate. I'm here to do basketball - nothing else."
LeBron's teammates stand behind him. "He responded well. We're playing for something big and you have to keep your composure no matter what's going on. He takes a lot of hits. He takes a lot of different things but he understands that we cannot lose him," said Dwyane Wade.
Friday night's Game 3 was close throughout.
After the first quarter, the game was tied at 25.
The Heat held a 52-50 lead at the half.
The game was tied at 70 heading into the 4th quarter.
Game 4 will be Monday in Chicago.
These two teams will come back to South Florida on Wednesday for Game 5.