Heat Run Over Bulls in 143–107 Blowout at United Center

Chicago, Illinois – The Chicago Bulls faced a heavy defeat against the Miami Heat, losing 143–107 on Friday night at the United Center. The game showcased Chicago’s defensive issues and a controversial third-quarter ejection, which sparked outrage among fans.

Entering the match with momentum from recent road wins, the Bulls hoped to continue their success. However, Miami quickly disrupted their rhythm with aggressive play. The Heat dominated the rebounds and capitalized on Chicago’s mistakes, building a lead that marked the Bulls’ largest deficit of the season by the end of the third quarter.

A significant moment came in the third quarter when Bulls guard Kevin Huerter was ejected after a technical foul for an apparent attempt to swat the ball that grazed an official. Many in the crowd and the broadcast team were left questioning if the ejection was warranted.

In the postgame conference, Bulls coach Billy Donovan discussed the incident, reporting that the crew chief, Tony Brothers, thought Huerter’s intent was misinterpreted. The Bulls were already trailing when the ejection occurred, adding to their troubles.

Throughout the game, Miami exploited every opportunity, achieving 20 second-chance points thanks to their rebounding prowess. The Heat out-rebounded the Bulls by 14, with players Khalil Ware and Bam Adebayo grabbing a combined 21 boards, pressuring Chicago every step of the way. Turnovers hurt the Bulls as they committed 18 more than Miami, leading to 22 points for the Heat.

“We’re just not built to play isolation basketball,” Donovan commented on the team’s struggles, emphasizing the need for better ball movement and screening.

Josh Giddey had a strong performance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists before leaving late in the game due to an elbow to the face. Ayo Dosunmu led the Bulls in scoring with 23 points, but the team could not match Miami’s energy.

With their win, Miami improves to 2-1 in Group C of the NBA Cup, while Chicago drops to 1-2 in group play. The defeat complicates the Bulls’ path forward, especially with the Wizards scheduled to play against them the next day. Donovan stressed the need for rapid improvements on defense before they return to the floor.