The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they dismantled them. On Friday night, November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, Miami rolled to a stunning 143-107 victory in an Emirates NBA Cup Group C Chicago contest. The final margin — 36 points — was the Bulls’ worst defeat of the season. And it wasn’t even close to being the most shocking part.
Ware Leads Heat’s Offensive Explosion
Kel’el Ware didn’t just show up — he announced himself. The 20-year-old center, often overlooked in favor of flashier names, dropped a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds, adding two steals and playing with a physicality that disrupted Chicago’s interior defense. His presence was felt every time he touched the ball. When he rolled to the rim, the Bulls had no answer. When he boxed out, the ball stayed in Miami’s hands. And when he finished at the rim with either hand? The crowd fell silent.
He wasn’t alone. Norman Powell chipped in 19 points, Bam Adebayo added 18, and Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each poured in 16. That’s five players scoring in double figures — and none of them were even the leading scorer. The Heat’s offense moved like a well-oiled machine, recording 34 assists on 51 made field goals. Their ball movement was surgical. Their spacing, perfect. And their energy? Unrelenting.
Chicago’s Night of Chaos
For the Bulls, it was a night of injuries, ejections, and unraveling. Ayo Dosunmu led them with 23 points — a bright spot in an otherwise dark performance — and Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. But even his effort couldn’t mask the team’s collapse.
Kevin Huerter’s ejection in the third quarter became the symbolic moment of the game. After a foul call went against him, he waved his hand in frustration — and the ball bounced off his fingertips, then struck referee Che Flores in the leg. The officials didn’t hesitate. Huerter was tossed. It wasn’t malicious — but it was careless. And in a game already slipping away, it was the final straw.
Then came the injuries. Matas Buzelis left with a right ankle sprain. Dalen Terry exited with a left calf strain. Patrick Williams fouled out with 7:19 left in the fourth. The Bulls were down to eight healthy players by the final minutes. And still, they kept playing. Respect for that. But respect doesn’t win games when you’re trailing by 30.
How Miami Broke the Game Open
The Heat didn’t win by outscoring the Bulls — they won by breaking them.
After a modest 36-32 first-quarter lead, Miami exploded in the second. A 20-5 run over 6 minutes and 50 seconds turned a four-point edge into a 54-39 lead. By halftime, it was 70-52. That 18-point gap was the largest the Bulls had faced all season — and it was only the beginning.
By the end of the third quarter, Miami had extended it to 102-75. The Bulls managed just 23 points in the period. The Heat? 32. And in the fourth, they didn’t ease up. They poured in 41 points, including a 12-0 run sparked by Larsson’s three straight threes. The final lead? 41 points. The largest deficit the Bulls have endured in 2025.
That 20-5 run? It didn’t just shift momentum — it shattered morale. Chicago’s offense stalled. Their defense vanished. Their bench, already thin, couldn’t generate a spark.
What This Means for the NBA Cup and Beyond
The win improved Miami’s overall record to 10-6 and pushed them to 2-1 in Emirates NBA Cup Group C Chicago. They’re now just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks (2-0) for the top spot in the East group. The Bulls, meanwhile, fell to 1-2 in Cup play and 8-7 overall — now four games behind the top of the Eastern Conference.
This was Miami’s fourth game this season scoring over 140 points. That matches their total from the entire previous seven seasons combined. They’re averaging 124.8 points per game — the highest in the NBA — and they’re doing it without a single player averaging more than 21. It’s team basketball at its most efficient.
And here’s the kicker: Miami has now scored 140+ points in four games this season. Only three teams in NBA history have done that in a single season. The Heat are on pace to break the record.
What’s Next?
The Bulls head home to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, November 22, 2025. They need a win — and a lot of answers. Can they replace Buzelis and Terry? Will Huerter be suspended? And how do they stop a team that’s suddenly playing like a championship contender?
The Heat? They travel to Philadelphia on Sunday to take on the Philadelphia 76ers. A win there would put them in sole possession of Group C’s top seed — and send a message to the entire league: Miami isn’t just scoring. They’re serious.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just a blowout. It was a statement. The Heat are no longer just a high-scoring team. They’re a complete one. Ware’s emergence as a force inside, Powell’s veteran poise, Larsson’s shooting, and Adebayo’s all-around control have turned Miami into the most dangerous team in the East — not because they have a superstar, but because they have depth, rhythm, and discipline.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s season is starting to look like a puzzle with missing pieces. Injuries. Ejections. Poor rotations. A defense that can’t stop anyone. They’re not far out of contention — but they’re running out of time to fix what’s broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kel'el Ware’s performance impact the Miami Heat’s season trajectory?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound game marked his third double-double in the last five contests and solidified his role as Miami’s starting center. His ability to protect the rim and finish efficiently has allowed Bam Adebayo to play more offensively, boosting the Heat’s spacing. This is the first time since 2019 that Miami has had two centers averaging over 10 rebounds per game in the same season — a key reason their offensive efficiency has jumped to 120.4, the best in the league.
Why is the 143-point total significant for the Miami Heat?
Miami’s 143 points were their highest since 2008 and the fourth time this season they’ve surpassed 140 — matching their total from the previous seven seasons combined. Only the 2018-19 Houston Rockets and 2021-22 Golden State Warriors have had four 140-point games in a single season since 2010. This suggests Miami’s offensive system — built on ball movement and three-point shooting — has reached a new level of execution.
What caused Kevin Huerter’s ejection, and could he face suspension?
Huerter was ejected after waving his hand in frustration following a foul call, causing the ball to strike referee Che Flores in the leg. While not intentional, NBA rules classify this as unsportsmanlike conduct. The league has yet to announce a suspension, but similar incidents in 2024 led to one-game bans for players with prior technicals. Huerter now has six technicals this season — one away from an automatic suspension.
How did the Bulls’ injuries affect their rotation and future games?
With Matas Buzelis (ankle) and Dalen Terry (calf) both sidelined, Chicago’s depth is now critically thin. Buzelis, their top rookie forward, was averaging 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. Terry, their defensive stopper, played 32 minutes per game. Without them, the Bulls will likely rely on undrafted players and veterans like Jalen Smith — who’s already playing 30+ minutes. Their next two games, against Washington and Indiana, could determine whether they stay in playoff contention.
What’s the significance of Miami’s 2-1 record in the Emirates NBA Cup?
Miami’s 2-1 record puts them in prime position to advance to the Cup semifinals. Only the top two teams in each group qualify. With Milwaukee at 2-0 and New York at 1-1, the Heat control their fate: a win against Philadelphia on Sunday would lock them into the top spot. A loss could force them into a tiebreaker with the Knicks — and the tiebreaker favors Miami based on head-to-head point differential.
Did the Bulls cover the spread, and what does that mean for bettors?
No — the Bulls were favored by 3.5 points but lost by 36. Bettors who took the Heat as underdogs won big. This was the largest point differential against the spread in the NBA this season. It also marks the fourth time this month the Bulls have failed to cover by more than 20 points — a troubling trend for those betting on their competitiveness.
