James, Heat hope for better outcome

Associated Press

DEERFIELD, Ill.

There wasn’t much else LeBron James could do other than shrug it all off and vow to perform better in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Game 1 certainly didn’t go well for the Miami.

With James and Dwyane Wade struggling, and the Heat getting beaten badly on the boards, Chris Bosh’s 30 points weren’t enough to bail out the Heat in the opener. The top-seeded Chicago Bulls won 103-82, and now have a chance to grab a commanding lead when the series resumes Wednesday night at the United Center.

“We’ve been able to bounce back this year no matter if it’s been the regular season or the postseason,” James said. “Learn from mistakes in the previous game and then move on. We’ve done that. We’re looking forward to the challenge, we’re excited about tomorrow’s opportunity to be here and try to steal homecourt.”

If they don’t get more from James and Wade, the Heat won’t get that chance and a 2-0 deficit more daunting then it sounds. The Bulls never lost more than two in a row on their way to a league-leading 62 wins and their first conference finals appearance since the second championship three-peat 13 years ago. They swept three close games from the Heat during the regular season and are off to a good start in this series.

James and Wade came in on a surge, only to have the plug pulled against one of the league’s stingiest defenses.