NBA PLAYOFFS ROUNDUP: Heat survive road test vs. Bulls, take 2-1 series lead

CHICAGO – Miami backup guard Norris Cole remained perfect from 3-point range and teammate LeBron James scored 25 points as the Heat pulled away late for a 104-94 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday at the United Center.

Miami took a 2-1 lead in this second-round series, with Game 4 set for Monday in Chicago.

Chris Bosh had his best game of the series for the Heat, producing 20 points and 19 rebounds. Cole finished with 18 points and improved to 8-for-8 from 3-point range in the series.

Miami took the lead for good with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, but put things away when James and Cole knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers. The second basket lifted the Heat to a 96-88 lead with 1:58 remaining.

Chicago pulled within six points on a pair of Jimmy Butler free throws, then James drove the lane, hit a bank shot and completed a three-point play to make it 99-90 with 1:23 remaining.

Carlos Boozer led Chicago with 21 points, while Nate Robinson and Butler scored 17 points each. Joakim Noah added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Miami went ahead 83-78 with 6:24 left – its largest lead of the game to that point – when Dwyane Wade found an open lane for a drive and dunk.

The teams exchanged a few baskets, then, with the Bulls trying to cut into a five-point deficit, Noah won a battle for an offensive rebound against Bosh. But Noah was called for a foul and the Heat pushed the lead to 90-83 with 3:15 remaining on a couple of Bosh free throws.

Noah eventually fouled out with 16.6 seconds left. Chicago guard Marco Belinelli and Miami