Basketball: Bulls win play-off

The Chicago Bulls held off a late charge by the defending champions, Miami Heat, to win the first game of their NBA Eastern Conference play-off 96-91 yesterday.

Looking to go beyond the first round for the first time since 1998, Chicago's young team were too good for their more experienced opponent.

Luol Deng top-scored for the Bulls with 33 points and Miami veteran Shaquille O'Neal, in his 195th playoff game, fouled out with more than three minutes to go.

The next game in the best-of-seven series is in Chicago on Wednesday.