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Bulls brave Heat, Shaq sits out

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-01-28 16:21

CHICAGO - Ben Gordon had 34 points and seven assists as the Chicago Bulls beat the Miami Heat 100-97 on Saturday.

The Heat were once again without Shaquille O'Neal, who continues to recover from knee surgery that saw him miss 35 consecutive games.

O'Neal has played twice since returning from his long layoff, scoring 11 points in 15 minutes in a loss to New York on Friday. The team plans to work him back into a regular playing schedule slowly.

The NBA champion Miami lost their third straight game and for the fifth time in their past six to slip to 19-25.

Kirk Hinrich added 26 points for the Bulls, who won their third straight game to improve to 26-19 and move into a first place tie in the Central Division.

Ben Wallace left the game with a left knee sprain with 5:01 left to play and did not return. His injury will be evaluated on Sunday.

Andres Nocioni added 19 points for the Bulls, while Wallace hauled down 15 rebounds before his injury, including 11 in the first half.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

* The Dallas Mavericks improved to 36-9 with a 106-104 win over the Sacramento Kings.

* Zach Randolph had 42 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a wild 135-132 double overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

* Vince Carter scored 40 points as the New Jersey Nets beat the Denver Nuggets 112-102.

*Andre Iguodala had 24 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Atlanta Hawks 104-89.

* Jermaine O'Neal scored 21 points as the Indiana Pacers won their third straight game with a 102-84 win over the Toronto Raptors.