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LeBron shows his defensive value in battle with Rose

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-25 17:45

Miami Heat's LeBron James scores against the Chicago Bulls during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals NBA basketball series in Miami, May 22, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

MIAMI - LeBron James showed his value to the Miami Heat on the defensive side of the court in their 101-93 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, stopping the man who replaced him as the league's MVP - Derrick Rose.

James, who top-scored with 35 points for the Heat, took on the task of limiting Rose in the fourth quarter and it was his presence that hampered the Bulls main offensive threat when he missed a chance to win the game with eight seconds left.

Towards the end of a marathon game, James volunteered for the difficult job of guarding the quick and agile 22-year-old and his coach Erik Spoelstra was delighted as his team went 3-1 up in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.

"I didn't even ask. I know he shoulders a big responsibility for us during the course of the game on both ends of the court. He had already played 40-something minutes when we made the switch and he stepped up to the challenge," he told reporters.

"That's as tough a cover as you can have in this league. Derrick, I've compared him to trying to corral a tornado.

"He's so explosive and clever with the ball that it takes a dream effort and great individual commitment to try to keep your chest in front of him.

"Even then he will find a way to get to the rim."