The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls on Friday night — they dismantled them. In a stunning 143-107 rout at the United Center in Chicago, Miami turned a modest 18-11 Bulls start into a 53-21 run that crushed any hope of a comeback. The final margin? 36 points — the largest deficit Chicago has faced this season, and the second-biggest lead the Heat have ever posted in 2025-26. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.
How Miami’s offense exploded
The Heat entered the game averaging a league-best 124.8 points per game, but Friday’s performance felt historic. They became the fourth team this season to surpass 140 points — matching their total from the entire 2018-19 through 2024-25 seasons combined. Kel'el Ware was the engine, dropping 20 points and 14 rebounds, mostly on putbacks and relentless second-chance hustle. Norman Powell added 19, Bam Adebayo chipped in 18, and Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each scored 16. Miami’s ball movement was surgical: 32 assists on 54 field goals. They didn’t just score — they carved up Chicago’s defense like a Thanksgiving turkey.
And then there were the free throws. Miami went 35-21 at the stripe. Not because they were fouled more — but because they attacked with ferocity. The Bulls, meanwhile, looked hesitant, almost passive. They had 12 second-chance points to Miami’s 26. That’s not a stat line. That’s a humiliation.
The Bulls’ unraveling
Chicago’s night started with promise. Ayo Dosunmu, who finished with 23 points and 4 assists, hit three straight threes to spark an early run. Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists — but his numbers felt hollow. He was one of the few Bulls who fought. The rest? They floated. They passed up open looks. They let Ware and Adebayo clean up the glass like it was their job.
And then came the unraveling.
Kevin Huerter, already frustrated by a foul call, waved his hand at the ball in frustration — and accidentally knocked it into referee Che Flores’ leg. The crowd gasped. The officials conferred. Huerter was ejected. He’d scored just 3 points and grabbed 2 rebounds before his exit. Minutes later, Matas Buzelis limped off with a right ankle injury. Then Dalen Terry followed, clutching his left calf. Three key players gone in one game. No wonder coach Billy Donovan looked like he hadn’t slept since September.
"Coby has kept himself in as good a shape as you can keep yourself in," Donovan said before tip-off, referring to guard Coby White’s lack of preseason preparation. "He has not really had a legitimate ramp up." Now, with injuries piling up and confidence evaporating, that preseason gap looks like a canyon.
Josh Giddey’s raw honesty
After the game, Josh Giddey didn’t make excuses. He didn’t blame the refs or the injuries. He looked the camera dead in the eye and said: "Teams are starting to realize they can punish us on the offensive boards. They’re starting to run through us. It’s got to come to a point as a team where we make a stand. We be the aggressors. We start running through people. We start crashing. We start boxing out."
That’s not a quote from a player trying to save face. That’s a player admitting his team is losing its identity. Giddey, the 20-year-old Australian with NBA-caliber vision, knows the truth: NBA players are too talented to be bad at the small things. And right now, the Bulls are bad at them.
What this means for the standings
The Heat improved to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the NBA Cup, sitting just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in East Group C. The Bulls? They’re 8-7 overall and 1-2 in Cup play, now fourth in their group — a half-game behind the Knicks and a half-game ahead of the Hornets. That’s not just bad. It’s dangerous.
For Chicago, Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards isn’t just another contest. It’s a must-win. Lose again, and the playoff conversation turns into a survival debate. For Miami, Sunday’s trip to face the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center is a chance to prove this isn’t a fluke. This team is clicking — and they’re starting to look like real contenders.
Why this loss cuts deeper than the score
This wasn’t just a bad night. It was a continuation. Last season, the Heat dominated the Bulls in the Play-In Tournament. Now, they’re doing it again — with more confidence, more depth, and more firepower. Chicago’s offensive rebounding issues from their game against Portland two nights earlier? They got worse. Their defensive rotations? Still sluggish. Their energy? Gone.
And here’s the quiet truth: The Bulls are losing their locker room. Not because of injuries — those happen. But because leadership is missing. No one is stepping up to demand better. No one is calling out the small stuff. Giddey tried. But one player can’t carry a team that’s lost its way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kel'el Ware’s performance impact the game?
Ware’s 20 points and 14 rebounds — including 8 offensive boards — were the backbone of Miami’s 26-12 second-chance point advantage. His ability to crash the glass and finish at the rim forced Chicago to collapse defensively, opening up perimeter shots for Powell and Larsson. He didn’t just score; he disrupted Chicago’s entire defensive rhythm.
Why did the Bulls struggle so badly on the boards?
Chicago’s frontcourt — including Nikola Vucevic (6 points, 3 rebounds) and Patrick Williams (8 points, 2 assists) — was outworked and outmuscled. The Heat’s aggressive positioning and relentless effort, especially from Ware and Adebayo, left Bulls players out of position. Miami’s 26 second-chance points came from pure hustle, not talent disparity — a sign of mental and physical breakdown.
What does Josh Giddey’s post-game comment reveal about the Bulls’ culture?
Giddey’s raw admission — that the Bulls are "bad at the small things" — signals a team in crisis. He’s not pointing fingers at teammates; he’s calling for accountability. That’s rare. It suggests the leadership vacuum left by missing veterans is growing, and younger players are starting to realize they’re being outworked by opponents who care more about fundamentals.
How serious are the Bulls’ injuries?
Matas Buzelis’ right ankle injury and Dalen Terry’s left calf strain are concerning, especially with back-to-back games. Buzelis is a key rotation piece, and Terry’s speed is vital for transition defense. Both are day-to-day, but with no training camp prep and now injuries, Chicago’s depth is stretched thin — and their playoff hopes are slipping.
Why is the NBA Cup important for Miami’s season?
The NBA Cup isn’t just an exhibition — it’s a momentum builder. Miami’s 2-1 record puts them in contention for the East’s top seed in the tournament, which comes with a home-court advantage in the semifinals. More importantly, it’s helping them build chemistry. Their 143-point outburst is the first time they’ve hit that mark since the 2019-20 season — a sign they’ve unlocked a new offensive gear.
What’s next for the Heat and Bulls?
Miami travels to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center — a tough test against a team with elite perimeter defense. Chicago hosts the Washington Wizards on Saturday in a must-win game. If the Bulls lose again, their playoff chances could be all but dead by Thanksgiving. For Miami, this win is a statement — but they know the real test begins now.