Heat's 60th keeps Bulls from No. 70

Lawrence: No vacation in Miami

MULTIMEDIA

Michael Jordan loses two defenders with a head-fake and buries a jumper.
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Pat Riley says this win boosts Miami's confidence.
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Michael Jordan knows what keyed the Heat's victory.
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Phil Jackson congratulates Miami ... sort of.
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Game Flow

MIAMI -- Jamal Mashburn had 23 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday as the Miami Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 102-92 in a battle of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.

Miami (60-20) posted its franchise-record 60th victory and denied Chicago (69-12) an opportunity to win its 70th.

Keith Askins puts defensive pressure on Michael Jordan.

"It's a great accomplishment. We're not going to take it lightly or dismiss it," Miami coach Pat Riley said of victory No. 60. "But in another week it's not going to mean a thing. We'll be facing another challenge."

The Bulls have one more chance to post their 70th win when they face the New York Knicks on Saturday in the season finale.

Tim Hardaway scored 22 points and nine assists and Alonzo Mourning had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Miami, which split the four-game season series with Chicago.

Scottie Pippen scored 28 points and Michael Jordan added 26 for the injury-riddled Bulls, who have lost two of their last three games. The Bulls have three key players -- Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc and Bill Wennington -- on the injured list.

"It gives us something to forget pretty quickly," Jordan said of the game.

Miami led 50-37 at halftime. The Bulls scored nine points in the second quarter, their lowest total this season and fewest since scoring six in the second quarter of a game against the Heat on Nov. 6, 1993.

"In the second quarter, we couldn't get anything going," Jordan said. "You have to credit their defense; they came out and played well."

Miami opened up its largest lead at 83-65 following a basket by Alonzo Mourning with 9:40 left. The Bulls got no closer than eight points down the stretch.

"We just came to play, baby," Hardaway said. "I've never won 60 games or my division. It feels great to me. I'm ecstatic."

The Heat shot 51 percent (36 for 70) from the field and was 10 for 20 from 3-point range.

Chicago, which shot 47 percent (38 for 81) from the floor, was outscored 20-9 at the foul line. The Bulls had only three points in transition.