Lynne Sladky / AP

Bulls guard Derrick Rose drives to the basket as Heat forward Chris Bosh defends during Chicago's 86-87 victory Sunday. Rose led all scorers with 27 points.

"That's the right call," Rose said.

The ball went to James, who drove on Noah and missed a layup from the left block. Wade got the rebound, tried a 15-footer from the baseline that bounced away, and time expired as the Bulls leaped in celebration and Thibodeau punched the air.

"We're just trying to play the best we can," Noah said. "I think we still have a long way to go and we can get a lot better. That's what is so exciting about this team. Our defense is really improving. We can still improve offensively as well. We can take this pretty far."

The Bulls shot 39 percent in the third quarter, still managing to outscore Miami 23-16 thanks to five Heat turnovers, a 14-9 edge in rebounding — and Rose, who made a ridiculous shot early in the period look ridiculously simple.

Even a 1-on-2 break — him against Wade and James, no less — went Chicago's way. Rose bumped slightly into Wade to create separation on his drive downcourt, then leaped, double-clutched so James could fly harmlessly by from the left wing, and then spun a left-handed layup off the glass to cut Miami's lead to 54-50.

He skipped back upcourt, head back confidently, pumping up teammates. And Rose stayed that way until the finish.

"We're just taking it for what it is," Rose said. "We're just trying to win games, play hard and play aggressive on both ends."

NOTES: Scottie Pippen, who lives in Miami, was behind the Bulls bench. ... The last time James played in as many as four straight regular-season losses was Feb. 22-March 1, 2006, when the Cleveland Cavaliers dropped five straight. ... Referee Scott Wall was shaken up in the third quarter, and Heat trainer Jay Sabol was summoned to check his left knee. Wall remained in the game.

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