Miami Heat Crush Bulls 143-107 in NBA Cup, Erasing Regular Season Struggles

Nov, 22 2025

On Friday, November 21, 2025, the Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they obliterated them. In a stunning 143-107 rout at the United Center in Chicago, Miami turned a season of frustration into a statement. The Heat, who went 0-3 against Chicago during the 2024-25 regular season, now own two wins over the Bulls in just seven months — including a 109-90 Play-In triumph last April. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a full-throttle explosion of offense, defense, and dominance.

A Night of Offensive Fireworks

The Heat didn’t just score — they shattered expectations. Their 143 points marked the fourth time this season they’ve cracked 140, matching their total from the previous seven seasons combined (2018-19 through 2024-25). They’re now averaging 124.8 points per game, the best in the NBA. Kel’el Ware, the 7-foot-1 rookie, was a monster inside with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Norman Powell added 19, Bam Adebayo chipped in 18, and Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each dropped 16. Miami’s bench outscored Chicago’s starters 78-57. The fourth quarter alone was a clinic: 41 points, no mercy.

For Chicago, it was a nightmare. Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls with 23 points, and Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. But turnovers killed them — 11 of them, according to Fox Sports. The ball slipped through fingers, bounced off knees, and vanished into Miami’s hands. And then there was Kevin Huerter. In the third quarter, frustrated by a foul call, he waved his hand at the ball — which ricocheted off referee Che Flores’ leg. Ejected. No warning. Just a flash of emotion that summed up Chicago’s night.

From 0-3 to 2-1: The Turnaround Story

This win flips the script entirely. Last season, the Heat lost to the Bulls three times — on February 4, 2025, March 8, 2025, and again on March 22, 2025. Each loss felt like a punch. Miami’s offense looked sluggish. Their defense? Forget it. But something changed after April 17, 2025. In a must-win Play-In game, Tyler Herro dropped 38 points, and the Heat won 109-90, eliminating Chicago from postseason contention. That game wasn’t just a win — it was a psychological reset.

Now, in the NBA Cup Group Play, Miami is 2-1 in Group C, trailing only the Milwaukee Bucks (2-0) by half a game. Chicago? They’re 1-2, sitting fourth in the group, just ahead of Charlotte and behind New York. The Bulls are still competitive — they’re 8-7 overall — but they’re missing key pieces. Zach Collins is out, and Tre Jones and Coby White are questionable. Miami, too, is without Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins. And yet, they’re playing like a team with something to prove.

The Numbers That Tell the Real Story

Let’s break it down:

Miami’s 41-point lead was their second-largest of the season — and Chicago’s worst deficit ever this year (previous: 25 against New York on November 2, 2025).
The Heat outscored Chicago 53-21 over a 15-minute stretch in the first half, turning an 18-11 Bulls lead into a 25-point advantage by halftime.
Miami shot 54% from the field and 41% from three. Chicago? 43% and 30%.
143 points. That’s the most the Heat have scored since 2013.

And here’s the kicker: Miami’s 10-6 record puts them in the top half of the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Pistons lead at 13-2. The Cavaliers are close at 11-6. But Miami? They’re on a three-game win streak, and their pace is unlike anything they’ve shown in years.

What This Means for the NBA Cup and Beyond

The NBA Cup isn’t just a tournament — it’s a springboard. Winning Group C means a home game in the knockout round. Miami’s offense is clicking like a finely tuned engine. Ware’s emergence as a rim protector and finisher? Game-changing. Powell’s veteran poise? Priceless. Adebayo’s playmaking? Underrated. This isn’t just about Cup points — it’s about momentum heading into the playoffs.

For Chicago, the message is clear: they’re still a work in progress. Giddey is talented, Dosunmu is tough, but they lack depth. When the starters rest, the bench falters. And when pressure mounts, they break. That ejection of Huerter? It wasn’t just a technical foul. It was a symptom.

The Heat, meanwhile, are becoming a team you don’t want to face in December. They’ve found their rhythm. They’re scoring in bunches. They’re defending with energy. And they’re no longer intimidated by the Bulls — not even a little.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Miami Heat go from 0-3 against the Bulls to dominating them in the NBA Cup?

The turnaround began with their 109-90 Play-In win on April 17, 2025, where Tyler Herro’s 38-point performance shifted the psychological balance. Since then, Miami’s offense has become more fluid, Ware has emerged as a dual threat inside, and the team’s depth has improved. Chicago, meanwhile, has struggled with consistency and depth, especially without Zach Collins and inconsistent guard play.

Why is scoring 143 points such a big deal for the Miami Heat?

Miami hadn’t scored over 140 points in a single game even once between 2018 and 2025 — a span of seven seasons. Now, they’ve done it four times in just 16 games this season. It signals a complete offensive transformation under coach Erik Spoelstra, with more spacing, faster ball movement, and elite role-player shooting.

Who are the key players driving Miami’s current success?

Kel’el Ware (20 pts, 14 reb) is the surprise star — a 7-footer with mobility and touch. Norman Powell brings veteran scoring, Bam Adebayo is orchestrating the offense like a point center, and Pelle Larsson has become a lethal three-point threat. Even Davion Mitchell, often overlooked, is playing the best basketball of his career.

What does this loss mean for the Chicago Bulls’ playoff chances?

The Bulls are still in the hunt for a top-six seed, but this loss exposes their fragility. They’re 8-7, but they’ve lost three of their last five. With injuries piling up and no reliable second scoring option beyond Dosunmu and Giddey, they’ll need to win 70% of their remaining games to feel safe. This defeat may haunt them come April.

How does the NBA Cup affect the regular season standings?

The NBA Cup doesn’t impact regular season records, but it does influence momentum, rotation depth, and playoff seeding confidence. Teams that perform well — like Miami — often carry that energy into January and February. The Cup also gives coaches a chance to test lineups without risking injury, making it a strategic tool, not just a tournament.

What’s next for the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls?

Miami faces the Charlotte Hornets on November 24 in their next Cup game, while Chicago hosts the New York Knicks on November 23. Both teams enter the stretch run with their playoff trajectories hanging in the balance. For Miami, it’s about maintaining their pace. For Chicago, it’s about finding answers — fast.