Victory would have seen the men from the Portuguese capital put daylight between themselves and second-placed Porto, but they will have to settle for being part of a trio of clubs - with Benfica - tied on 33 points heading into the mid-season break.
The hosts will have every reason to feel aggrieved that they did not come away from the clash with maximum points.
Sporting's players surrounded the referee at the final whistle, with some players having to be restrained as tensions boiled over.
Guimaraes' task was made all the easier by the dismissal of Rafik Halliche shortly after the half-hour mark.
Pacos de Ferreira failed to climb out of the relegation zone as they played out a goalless draw with Rio Ave in the day's other match.
The draw does, however, bring to an end Pacos' three-match league losing streak.
