Zo keeps word, Jordan keeps missing

Bulls-Heat
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Alonzo Mourning explains the Heat's new attitude. (Courtesy: NBA/NBC Sports)
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Don't expect more predictions from Zo. (Courtesy: NBA/NBC Sports)
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The Miami Heat walked the walk by beating the Chicago Bulls 87-80 on Monday and avoiding being swept out of the Eastern Conference finals.

Mourning was a solid 8 for 13 in Game 4, including 6 for 8 in the paint.

"Alonzo guaranteed a win," Miami's Tim Hardaway said, "so we had to come out and support our teammate."

While Mourning's prediction certainly inspired his teammates, even more important was that Zo snapped out of his series-long funk.

He had 18 points and 14 rebounds Monday for his first double-double of the series. He was eight for 13 from the field, a vast improvement over his 43-percent shooting during the first three games of the series.

"I didn't regret predicting a victory," Mourning said. "I knew we were going to have a totally different attitude and play the game a lot more focused and aggressive. We just had a different approach to the game.

"People have called us overachievers, said we've got a team full of CBA players, never really gave us the credit," he said. "We've managed to overcome all the obstacles."

Will Zo make any more predictions?

"No," he said with a laugh. "I'll keep my mouth shut."