NBA: Chicago 106, Miami 87

CHICAGO, March 26 (UPI) -- John Salmons scored 27 points Thursday and the Chicago Bulls improved their playoff chances with a 106-87 victory over Miami.

Chicago moved into a tie with Detroit for seventh place in the post-season chase after the Pistons lost earlier in the evening to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bulls and Pistons lead ninth-place Charlotte by three games.

Ben Gordon added 18 points and Tyrus Thomas had 15 for Chicago, which has won three in a row.

Dwyane Wade had 31 points for Miami, which fell into a tie for fifth place in the East with idle Philadelphia. It was the Heat's fifth loss in seven games.

Chicago ended the third period with a 15-0 run that gave the Bulls a 79-63 advantage going into the final quarter.

Miami had won its first three meetings with Chicago this year and was trying for its first season-series sweep of the Bulls since 2003-04.