The Heat led by one point at quarter time, but the Bulls slowly started to get on top and took a 10 point lead into three-quarter-time.

With just 38 seconds remaining Miami reduced the margin to just one point, but four straight points from the free throw line by Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni iced the victory for the Bulls.

Gordon finished the match with 24 points and 11 assists, while Nocioni provided 17 points off the bench.

For the Heat, Dwyane Wade top-scored with 21 points, Antoine Walker netted 20 points, centre Shaquille O'Neal shot 19 points and Udonis Haslem contributed 11 points.

In Houston, Yao Ming (28 points) and Tracy McGrady (23 points) led the Houston Rockets to a come from behind 85-74 victory over the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz led by nine points at half-time but McGrady netted 16 points in the third term as the Rockets took a six point lead into the final term.

Matt Harpring caught fire early in the last quarter to cut the margin to just two points, but the Rockets steadied to claim the important victory.

Harpring finished the match with 14 points, while Deron Williams and Derek Fisher top-scored for the Jazz with 15 points apiece.

In other matches Richard Jefferson scored 28 points to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 96-91 victory over the Toronto Raptors, and the Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 100-92.