"Every time I try to defend myself, I've got to face the consequences of a flagrant," James says CHICAGO — LeBron James' frustration — almost a full season's worth — spilled out.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Miami Heat trailing the Chicago Bulls and the Heat's 27-game winning streak about to expire, James delivered an overly physical foul — leading with his forearm — on Bulls forward Carlos Boozer.
A referee called a flagrant foul 1.
James wasn't angry that the Heat were about to lose for the first time since Feb. 1. He was unhappy with the way the referees officiated the game, unhappy with the way the Bulls were able to be so physical — in James' view — and get away with it.
WATCH: Did LeBron deserve flagrant?
GAME: How Bulls snapped Heat's streak
After the Bulls ended the Heat's winning streak — the second longest in NBA history and six wins shy of the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' 33 wins in a row — James sat in his cubicle, his feet in a bucket of ice with the 101-97 box score resting atop it, and vented about the pounding he has taken this season.
"It's been happening all year, and I've been able to keep my cool and try to tell Spo (Heat coach Erik Spoelstra), 'Let's not worry about it,' " James said. "But it is getting to me a little bit. Every time I try to defend myself, I've got to face the consequences of a flagrant or a technical foul or whatever the case may be.
"It's tough. It's very tough."
From the start, the Bulls were physical with James. Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich started it with two fouls on James in the first quarter.
"I knew it was going to be a physical game," said James, who finished with a game-high 32 points, seven rebounds and three assists and took 11 free throws. "Every game against the Bulls is a physical game."
WATCH: Kirk Hinrich tries to tackle LeBron, fails
On the second foul, Hinrich should have been credited with either a tackle or two points for the takedown.
"First of all, Kirk Hinrich in the first quarter just grabbed me with two hands and brought me to the ground," James said.
Late in the game, Chicago forward Taj Gibson fouled James, knocking him to the ground. The officials reviewed the foul for a potential flagrant but kept it a regular foul.
"The last one, Taj Gibson was able to collar me around my shoulder and bring me to the ground," James said.
Of both fouls, James said, "Those are not basketball plays."
It's going to sound like James was whining, and he tried to clarify that he wasn't.
"I'm not crying about anything, because I play the game at a high level," he said. "I play the game with a lot of aggression, and I understand some of the plays are on the borderline of a basketball play or not."
PHOTOS: Remember the Heat's streak, one game at a time 
It ended in Chicago. LeBron James (center) and the Miami Heat won 27 consecutive games before losing 101-97 Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls. That doesn't make the streak any less impressive, though. Flip through this gallery to remember each game.
Rob Grabowski, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 1: Feb. 3 vs. Toronto Raptors. The streak begins with a bang as the Heat come out after a loss to the Indiana Pacers and breeze on the strength of 58 combined points by LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Score: 100-85.]()
Game 1: Feb. 3 vs. Toronto Raptors. The streak begins with a bang as the Heat come out after a loss to the Indiana Pacers and breeze on the strength of 58 combined points by LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Score: 100-85.
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2: Feb. 4 vs. Charlotte Bobcats. LeBron James had 31 points and Dwyane Wade, pictured, added 20 and 12 rebounds in a closer-than-expected win against the NBA's worst team. Score: 99-94.]()
Game 2: Feb. 4 vs. Charlotte Bobcats. LeBron James had 31 points and Dwyane Wade, pictured, added 20 and 12 rebounds in a closer-than-expected win against the NBA's worst team. Score: 99-94.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 3: Feb. 6 vs. Houston Rockets. Chris Andersen and the Heat blocked Chandler Parsons and the red-hot Rockets for their 20th home win. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 63 points. Score: 114-108.]()
Game 3: Feb. 6 vs. Houston Rockets. Chris Andersen and the Heat blocked Chandler Parsons and the red-hot Rockets for their 20th home win. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 63 points. Score: 114-108.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 4: Feb. 8 vs. Los Angeles Clippers. LeBron James scored 30 points on 11 shots, and Dwyane Wade added 20 with seven assists, six rebounds and four steals. Score: 111-89.]()
Game 4: Feb. 8 vs. Los Angeles Clippers. LeBron James scored 30 points on 11 shots, and Dwyane Wade added 20 with seven assists, six rebounds and four steals. Score: 111-89.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 5: Feb. 10 vs. Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James bettered Kobe Bryant in a matchup of the NBA's most visible stars with 32 points, seven rebounds and four assists to Bryant's 28, six and nine. Score: 107-97.]()
Game 5: Feb. 10 vs. Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James bettered Kobe Bryant in a matchup of the NBA's most visible stars with 32 points, seven rebounds and four assists to Bryant's 28, six and nine. Score: 107-97.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 6: Feb. 12 vs. Portland Trail Blazers. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh (not pictured) combined for 86 points, 26 rebounds and 16 assists as James set an NBA record with six consecutive 30-point games with 60% shooting. Score: 117-104.]()
Game 6: Feb. 12 vs. Portland Trail Blazers. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh (not pictured) combined for 86 points, 26 rebounds and 16 assists as James set an NBA record with six consecutive 30-point games with 60% shooting. Score: 117-104.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 7: Feb. 14 at Oklahoma City Thunder. This NBA Finals rematch on the day before the All-Star break featured Kevin Durant, left, scoring 40 and LeBron James, right, 39. But James added 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Heat swept the season series with the Thunder. Score: 110-100.]()
Game 7: Feb. 14 at Oklahoma City Thunder. This NBA Finals rematch on the day before the All-Star break featured Kevin Durant, left, scoring 40 and LeBron James, right, 39. But James added 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Heat swept the season series with the Thunder. Score: 110-100.
Mark D. Smith, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 8: Feb. 20 at Atlanta Hawks. It was balance all the way for the first game after the All-Star break, with LeBron James, left, throwing in 24 points and others such as Chris Bosh and Norris Cole chipping in. Shane Battier had 17 in making five of eight three-pointers off the bench. Score: 103-90.]()
Game 8: Feb. 20 at Atlanta Hawks. It was balance all the way for the first game after the All-Star break, with LeBron James, left, throwing in 24 points and others such as Chris Bosh and Norris Cole chipping in. Shane Battier had 17 in making five of eight three-pointers off the bench. Score: 103-90.
Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 9: Feb. 21 at Chicago Bulls. Chris Bosh and the Heat played swarming defense on Joakim Noah and their East rivals while LeBron James had 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to guide the offense. Score: 86-67.]()
Game 9: Feb. 21 at Chicago Bulls. Chris Bosh and the Heat played swarming defense on Joakim Noah and their East rivals while LeBron James had 26 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to guide the offense. Score: 86-67.
Dennis Wierzbicki, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 10: Feb. 23 at Philadelphia 76ers. The winning streak hit double-digits with a triple-double from LeBron James, 33-point outburst by Dwyane Wade and this dunk by Chris Bosh. Score: 114-90.]()
Game 10: Feb. 23 at Philadelphia 76ers. The winning streak hit double-digits with a triple-double from LeBron James, 33-point outburst by Dwyane Wade and this dunk by Chris Bosh. Score: 114-90.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 11: Feb. 24 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James faced his former team, which put up a fight. James had 28 points but the big contribution came from Mario Chalmers, who had 16 and helped defend Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, who had 16 on 6-for-16 shooting. Irving also injured his knee in the game. Scote: 109-105.]()
Game 11: Feb. 24 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James faced his former team, which put up a fight. James had 28 points but the big contribution came from Mario Chalmers, who had 16 and helped defend Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, who had 16 on 6-for-16 shooting. Irving also injured his knee in the game. Scote: 109-105.
Steve Mitchell,USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 12: vs. Sacramento Kings. The Heat's only overtime game in the streak proved taxing but ultimately successful. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, right, combined for 79 points, 23 assists, 16 rebounds, five steals and three blocks while players such as Norris Cole, left, put in extra minutes in the double-overtime showcase. Score: 141-129.]()
Game 12: vs. Sacramento Kings. The Heat's only overtime game in the streak proved taxing but ultimately successful. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, right, combined for 79 points, 23 assists, 16 rebounds, five steals and three blocks while players such as Norris Cole, left, put in extra minutes in the double-overtime showcase. Score: 141-129.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 13: March 1 vs. Memphis Grizzlies. With LeBron James struggling from the field, the Heat's role players such as Mario Chalmers provided a balanced effort. But James put the Grizzlies away with a late three-pointer on a great pass from Dwyane Wade with 24 seconds left, then made five free throws to seal it. Score: 98-91.]()
Game 13: March 1 vs. Memphis Grizzlies. With LeBron James struggling from the field, the Heat's role players such as Mario Chalmers provided a balanced effort. But James put the Grizzlies away with a late three-pointer on a great pass from Dwyane Wade with 24 seconds left, then made five free throws to seal it. Score: 98-91.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 14: March 3 at New York Knicks. Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks were mere spectators when LeBron James and the Heat decided to take over in a 54-34 second half to scrap back from a big halftime deficit. James finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Score: 99-93.]()
Game 14: March 3 at New York Knicks. Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks were mere spectators when LeBron James and the Heat decided to take over in a 54-34 second half to scrap back from a big halftime deficit. James finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Score: 99-93.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 15: March 4 at Minnesota Timberwolves. Tempers ran high at the end of another Heat blowout, with T'wolves guard J.J. Barea (11) ejected for a flagrant foul on Heat guard Ray Allen, right. Dwyane Wade had 32 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Miami. Score: 97-81.]()
Game 15: March 4 at Minnesota Timberwolves. Tempers ran high at the end of another Heat blowout, with T'wolves guard J.J. Barea (11) ejected for a flagrant foul on Heat guard Ray Allen, right. Dwyane Wade had 32 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds for Miami. Score: 97-81.
Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 16: March 6 vs. Orlando Magic. The Heat gave up a big lead to their in-state rivals, allowing Orlando to take the lead for much of the stretch run. But LeBron James' layup won it with 3.2 seconds remaining. James had 26 points and Dwyane Wade added 24. Score: 97-96.]()
Game 16: March 6 vs. Orlando Magic. The Heat gave up a big lead to their in-state rivals, allowing Orlando to take the lead for much of the stretch run. But LeBron James' layup won it with 3.2 seconds remaining. James had 26 points and Dwyane Wade added 24. Score: 97-96.
Scott Rovak, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 17: March 8 vs. Philadelphia 76ers. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, shown making a layup in front of Sixers center Spencer Hawes, combined for 47 points in a game the Heat trailed by nine in the third quarter. Score: 102-93.]()
Game 17: March 8 vs. Philadelphia 76ers. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, shown making a layup in front of Sixers center Spencer Hawes, combined for 47 points in a game the Heat trailed by nine in the third quarter. Score: 102-93.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 18: March 10 vs. Indiana Pacers. LeBron James was held to 13 points, but his teammates picked up the slack. Mario Chalmers led Miami with 26 points as the Heat beat the last team to beat them. Score: 105-91.]()
Game 18: March 10 vs. Indiana Pacers. LeBron James was held to 13 points, but his teammates picked up the slack. Mario Chalmers led Miami with 26 points as the Heat beat the last team to beat them. Score: 105-91.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 19: vs. Atlanta Hawks. With LeBron James having another off night and finishing with 15 points on 3-for-11 shooting, the Heat leaned on balance. Udonis Haslem had 11 rebounds in 24 minutes, and Dwyane Wade posted 23 points as the team won its seventh in a row against the Hawks. Score: 98-81.]()
Game 19: vs. Atlanta Hawks. With LeBron James having another off night and finishing with 15 points on 3-for-11 shooting, the Heat leaned on balance. Udonis Haslem had 11 rebounds in 24 minutes, and Dwyane Wade posted 23 points as the team won its seventh in a row against the Hawks. Score: 98-81.
J. Pat Carter, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Game 20: March 13 at Philadelphia 76ers. LeBron James shook off this foul by Evan Turner to finish with 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Dwyane Wade had 21 points, including a tip-in and pair of free throws in the final minute. Thaddeus Young had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the 76ers. Score: 98-94.]()
Game 20: March 13 at Philadelphia 76ers. LeBron James shook off this foul by Evan Turner to finish with 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Dwyane Wade had 21 points, including a tip-in and pair of free throws in the final minute. Thaddeus Young had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the 76ers. Score: 98-94.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 21: March 15 at Milwaukee Bucks. Heat guard Dwyane Wade fell and hurt himself but played later and had 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists during an easy win. LeBron James and Chris Bosh each added 28 points, with James filling up the box score with 10 rebounds and seven assists. Score: 107-94]()
Game 21: March 15 at Milwaukee Bucks. Heat guard Dwyane Wade fell and hurt himself but played later and had 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists during an easy win. LeBron James and Chris Bosh each added 28 points, with James filling up the box score with 10 rebounds and seven assists. Score: 107-94
Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 22: March 17 at Toronto Raptors. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (pictured) combined for 66 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds as the Heat tied the 2008 Houston Rockets for the second-longest streak in NBA history. Score: 105-87.]()
Game 22: March 17 at Toronto Raptors. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (pictured) combined for 66 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds as the Heat tied the 2008 Houston Rockets for the second-longest streak in NBA history. Score: 105-87.
John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 23: March 18 at Boston Celtics. LeBron James had 37 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds as the Heat topped the 2008 Houston Rockets for the second-longest streak in NBA history. Score: 105-103.]()
Game 23: March 18 at Boston Celtics. LeBron James had 37 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds as the Heat topped the 2008 Houston Rockets for the second-longest streak in NBA history. Score: 105-103.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 24: March 20 at Cleveland Cavaliers. The game was delayed 45 minutes by an oil leak above the court. And the Heat waited an entire half to show up themselves. But despite trailing 67-40 with about seven minutes left in the third quarter, Miami took over and won behind a 25-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist performance from LeBron James against his former team. Score: 98-95.]()
Game 24: March 20 at Cleveland Cavaliers. The game was delayed 45 minutes by an oil leak above the court. And the Heat waited an entire half to show up themselves. But despite trailing 67-40 with about seven minutes left in the third quarter, Miami took over and won behind a 25-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist performance from LeBron James against his former team. Score: 98-95.
David Richard, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 25: March 22 vs. Detroit Pistons. The Heat trailed by 11 in the second quarter but quickly came back and took over by the middle of the third. Norris Cole had four of the team's 15 steals, and LeBron James had 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. Score: 103-89.]()
Game 25: March 22 vs. Detroit Pistons. The Heat trailed by 11 in the second quarter but quickly came back and took over by the middle of the third. Norris Cole had four of the team's 15 steals, and LeBron James had 29 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. Score: 103-89.
Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 26: March 24 vs. Charlotte Bobcats. Dwyane Wade sat out with a sore knee, but LeBron James made sure it didn't matter. James had 32 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals, shooting 11-for-14 from the field as the Heat overcame an early 11-point deficit. Score: 109-77.]()
Game 26: March 24 vs. Charlotte Bobcats. Dwyane Wade sat out with a sore knee, but LeBron James made sure it didn't matter. James had 32 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and three steals, shooting 11-for-14 from the field as the Heat overcame an early 11-point deficit. Score: 109-77.
J. Pat Carter, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Game 27: March 25 at Orlando Magic. With Dwyane Wade sitting again with a sore knee, the Heat relied on a balanced effort led by LeBron James. Chris Andersen, pictured, had seven points and three blocks off the bench, and the team shot 15-for-28 on threes. Score: 108-94.]()
Game 27: March 25 at Orlando Magic. With Dwyane Wade sitting again with a sore knee, the Heat relied on a balanced effort led by LeBron James. Chris Andersen, pictured, had seven points and three blocks off the bench, and the team shot 15-for-28 on threes. Score: 108-94. Gary Bogdon, Getty Images
