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http://www.csnchicago.com//bulls-talk/james-unhappy-bulls-rough-style
Miami Heat forward LeBron James knew Wednesday night's game against the Bulls was going to be a boxing match. With 36 career games against Chicago, James understood that, even with center Joakim Noah out of the lineup, the Bulls wouldn't be backing down from anything or anyone, especially at home.And while head coach Erik Spoelstra echoed those warnings about the Bulls' "sheer physicality," the Heat weren't able to match the hard style of play the Bulls instilled in Miami's 101-97 loss.
Point guard Kirk Hinrich set the tone late in the first quarter, grabbing James with both hands on a fast break that sent both players tumbling to the floor. James was awarded his third and fourth free throws of the night--he hit both--but he took exception to the play, calling it after the game a non-basketball play that may have warranted a second look by referees.
And if Hinrich was sending a message for the rest of the game, Taj Gibson's foul on James late in the fourth quarter--with the Bulls holding a 90-81 lead inside four minutes--was one to send the Heat back home to Miami.
As a clearly frustrated James drove to the basket, Gibson was waiting to greet him with a hard, but legal, foul that sent James sprawling to the floor. The referees did take a second look at the play, but no further punishment was given to Gibson.