Bulls forward Taj Gibson dunks during Monday's Game 1 vs. the Heat. (Photo: Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports) MIAMI — The MVP didn't play like one for a half, and the team with the best record in the league was slowed by a team that is barely ambulatory and just finished a grueling seven-game series on Saturday. The Chicago Bulls, with their grinding style led by coach Tom Thibodeau, pulled off a stunning 93-86 upset of the top-seeded Miami Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. Nate Robinson's 19-foot jumper with 1:18 gave the Bulls an 88-86 lead and his driving layup with 45.5 put the Bulls up 90-86. LeBron James, who was presented with his MVP trophy before the game, shot an airball with 29.8 seconds left. Robinson played the hero instead of James. He scored Chicago's final seven points, and Miami missed its final five shots, though Ray Allen's three-point attempt with five seconds left had no impact on the outcome. BOX SCORE: Bulls 93, Heat 86 SCHEDULE: Second-round times, TV info The Bulls reduced the game to a possession by possession struggle, which is what they want. Which is the only way they can play — and win — with so many players out and hurt. Robinson (25 points, nine assists) and swingman Jimmy Butler (21 points, 14 rebounds) continued their strong play. Butler played all 48 minutes for the third consecutive game and made four-time MVP LeBron James work for every point and assist. "He's a tough kid," Thibodeau said. "He's mentally tough, and that's what we need him to do right now. We're shorthanded. We have a number of guys playing big minutes, and that's what we did." James, who received his 2012-13 MVP trophy from NBA Commissioner David Stern just before tipoff, scored just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the first half. He recovered in the second half, scoring 22 of his of team-high 24 points in second half, including 15 in the fourth quarter. But it was not enough. The Heat didn't pick up where they when they eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 on April 28. PHOTOS: Top shots from Bulls-Heat series The rest vs. rust debate — a topic for Heat during eight-day layoff — turned into a factor immediately. While the Heat wanted rest, they were anxious to play a game, and the time off in conjunction with the Bulls' outstanding defense disrupted the Heat, especially on offense. Miami shot 26.3% in the first quarter and 33.3% in the first half and was 3-for-13 on three-pointers in the first half, and James was 1-for-6 for two points, a new playoff halftime low in points for the four-time MVP. Chris Bosh was 0-for-4, and Shane Battier and Mike Miller were 2-for-10 on three-pointers. It was the kind of game the Bulls favor. Their masterful defense prevented the Heat from running in transition and running away with game. Expect the Bulls to replicate that as much as they can. It is also a testament to Thibodeau's coaching schemes and his ability to plug any guy into the lineup and barely suffer. Even more remarkable, Chicago beat Miami without guard Kirk Hinrich, who has a bruised left calf, forward Luol Deng, who remains in Chicago battling an illness and complication from a spinal tap to test for viral meningitis, and of course point guard Derrick Rose, who hasn't played this season but won't rule out a possible return. Yet, nothing less is expected from a Thibodeau-coached team. The Heat knew that coming into the series. "No matter who's in uniform, they're going to play Chicago Bulls basketball," James said 60 minutes before the start of Game 1. "It's what Thibs has built since he's been there. They have a no-excuse mentality no matter who's in the lineup." PHOTOS: Ranking the best big men of the second round Story Highlights
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Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/playoffs/2013/05/06/miami-heat-vs-chicago-bulls-game-1-score-lebron-james/2139673/