MIAMI -- LeBron James watched from the bench in a stylish grey suit, and with the game deadlocked at halftime, he took off his necktie. Soon the tie on the scoreboard was gone, too. Stout defence plus Chris Boshs outside shooting and a boost from Miamis reserves helped the Heat overcome the absence of their MVP on Sunday to beat the Chicago Bulls 93-79. "We were missing a pretty big man," Dwyane Wade said. "Theres nothing we can do to replace the best player in the world, but we just had to go out there and play team basketball on both ends of the floor." James was a late scratch after he broke his nose in Thursdays win at Oklahoma City, and his teammates picked up the slack. Former NBA No. 1 draft pick Greg Oden replaced James for his first NBA start since December 2009, and reserves Chris Andersen, Michael Beasley and Ray Allen helped the Heat pull away in the second half. "You dont want to see guys out," said coach Erik Spoelstra, who earned his 300th career victory. "But when guys are out, Im always curious to see how you respond as a team. Weve have several of these games that could have been excuse games, but guys have stepped up." Bosh tied a career high with four 3-pointers and had 28 points and 10 rebounds. Wade added 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Mario Chalmers contributed 12 points and nine assists. Defence did the rest against the offensively challenged Bulls. "Were starting to put it together defensively," Bosh said. "We got off to a slow start early in the season, but I think right now were starting to get it, starting to click." Like the Heat, the Bulls were also short-handed, with starter Jimmy Butler a late scratch because of bruised ribs. They shot 36 per cent, went 6 for 21 from 3-point range and were called for a 24-second violation at least six times, including twice in a row. "We werent playing with a good enough thrust," guard Kirk Hinrich said. "We were slow getting into our stuff. We didnt make quick decisions, and we got stuck fighting the clock." Joakim Noah had 20 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks for the Bulls, who had won five in a row. "Those guys have ended our seasons a lot," Noah said. "Youve got to hate playing those guys, and every time we play them our intensity has to be high. We did it in spurts, it wasnt good the whole time, and thats whats disappointing." Miami, playing at home for the first time in 20 days, extended its winning streak to five games. Wade sealed the victory by sinking a jumper with less than three minutes left, giving the Heat their first 18-point lead. Earlier two of his points came on free throws after he improvised a backward somersault when fouled hard in the lane. Otherwise there werent a lot of acrobatics from the typically high-flying Heat, who shot 42 per cent and had only seven fast-break points. Contributing to the workmanlike effort was the 7-foot Oden, playing his 11th game after being sidelined by knee trouble for 3 1/2 years. He had five points and five rebounds in 13 minutes. "Greg was great," Spoelstra said. "Hes an active player for somebody that big, and hes very intelligent. He has a good grasp of what we want to do." The stoic Oden shrugged off the milestone of returning to the starting lineup. "Im starting to feel a little more comfortable out there, and I think guys are starting to feel more comfortable with me," he said. "Its something we can build on. Being able to put me in that starting lineup showed some confidence in me." James, missing a game for only the second time this season, drew a big ovation when he was shown on the video scoreboard during an early timeout. During another timeout in the fourth quarter, when the Heat had built a big cushion, he danced to music blaring over the public address system while his teammates huddled. They scored on seven consecutive possessions during a 16-2 run at the end of the third quarter that put them ahead 65-52. The catalysts were unlikely: In quick succession, Andersen dunked on an alley-oop, Allen hit a runner and Beasley banked home a basket. "It doesnt matter if LeBrons out," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Theyre a good team. That team has other players. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade -- those are All-Stars, too. The bench is deep. Thats a championship team." NOTES: Spoelstra earned his 300th victory in his 448th game. Only five coaches reached the milestone more quickly, including his boss, Pat Riley, who did it the fastest at 416 games. ... Wades seven offensive rebounds were a career high. ... The Bulls fell to 24-6 when leading after one quarter. ... Miami improved to 8-1 in February. Mike Ditka Womens Jersey . Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signalled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments. Riley Ridley Womens Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout. http://www.chicagobearfootballauthentic....n-bears-jersey/. This week, topics cover the World Series champion Red Sox, John Farrell and what to look forward to this off-season. Devin Hester Bears Jersey . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race. Jim McMahon Womens Jersey . Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.PHILADELPHIA - Jason Kelce, Connor Barwin and Darren Sproles are going to their first Pro Bowl one month after their season ends sooner than expected.The trio of Philadelphia Eagles along with teammates Jason Peters and LeSean McCoy were hoping to skip this years NFL all-star game to play in the Super Bowl. That was a possibility until three straight losses knocked Philadelphia (9-6) out of the playoff race.So, most of the Eagles are heading home after Sundays season finale at the New York Giants. The five Pro Bowl players get one more game.I think that its obviously a tremendous honour to be voted into the Pro Bowl, said Kelce, a centre who missed four games because of surgery for a sports hernia. It doesnt change the fact that the seasons very frustrating, and for me personally I dont put too much of a huge deal onto this. I think these individual accolades really, in the grand scheme of things, dont mean too much.Barwin heads into the final game leading the NFC with 14 1/2 sacks. Hes the first Eagles linebacker to earn a Pro Bowl berth since Jeremiah Trotter in 2005 and is the only player on the defence going. Defensive end Fletcher Cox had an outstanding year, but didnt get enough recognition because he doesnt accumulate sacks.The honour for Barwin doesnt lessen the sting of missing the playoffs.This obviously isnt the goal for us, he said. Hopefully next year we can be an even better defence aand a couple of more guys can be recognized in the Pro Bowl.ddddddddddddSproles waited 10 years to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The versatile running back earned a spot as returner by leading the league in punt return average (13.7) and scoring two touchdowns on punt returns.This is the first time Ive ever been on a team where special teams made such a huge impact, Sproles said about being a part of a unit that combined for six TDs this season. I feel like this team has players who take pride in it. And talent too. I think its those two things that have made us so good.The Pro Bowl will be played on Jan. 25 in Glendale, Arizona, site of the Super Bowl. Players from the teams that win conference championships dont play in the game.It doesnt mean as much as going to the Super Bowl, but it is an honour though, Sproles said.For McCoy, the honour means something because he was criticized this season when he struggled through an early slump. Some even wondered if the two-time All-Pro had lost a step just one year after setting a franchise record for yards rushing and leading the NFL.Its so hard to get in, especially after this hard season, its ups and downs, McCoy said. Im happy for my linemen to help me get in and its truly an honour.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.organd AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_RobMaaddi ' ' '