22 Nov 2025
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The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they erased them. On Friday, November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, Miami rolled to a 143-107 victory in an NBA Cup Group C Eastern Conference game, delivering the most lopsided defeat of the season for the Bulls and one of the most dominant performances in Heat history. Led by rookie Kel'el Ware’s 20 points and 14 rebounds, and punctuated by Norman Powell’s 19 points, Miami didn’t just win — they made it look effortless. At one point, they led by 41 points, the second-largest margin of the 2025-2026 NBA season and the worst deficit the Bulls had ever faced this year — crushing their previous worst of 25 against the Knicks just weeks prior.
From promising start to total collapse
The Bulls started strong, hitting their first five shots and building an 18-11 lead in the first 5½ minutes. Fans at the United Center dared to hope. Then everything changed. Miami responded with a 53-21 run that spanned the rest of the first half. By halftime, the Heat led 72-47 — and the game was effectively over. The Bulls never got closer than 14 points after that. It wasn’t a comeback attempt that failed; it was a team that never showed up.
"They got destroyed tonight," said David Kaplan on the YouTube REKAP® video posted the next day. "They were really never in this game. Down big at the half and then the Heat outscored them by 18 more in the second half... It was a game where you just went, ‘Okay, not in it tonight.’"
Heat’s offensive explosion
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Miami scored 143 points, marking their fourth game this season surpassing 140. That’s as many 140+ point games as they had in the previous seven seasons combined (2018-19 through 2024-25). Their offense, now averaging 124.8 points per game — the best in the NBA — looked unstoppable. Bam Adebayo added 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each chipped in 16. The Heat’s ball movement was surgical, with 32 assists on 52 field goals. They shot 58% from the field and drained 17 three-pointers. This wasn’t luck. It was execution at an elite level.
Bulls’ unraveling: injuries, ejections, and frustration
Chicago’s night went from bad to worse. Ayo Dosunmu led all scorers with 23 points, and Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. But their efforts were drowned out by chaos. In the third quarter, Kevin Huerter was ejected after waving his hand in frustration following a foul call — the ball bounced off his fingers and struck referee Che Flores in the leg. The officials had no choice: immediate ejection.
Then came the injuries. Matas Buzelis left with a right ankle sprain. Dalen Terry exited with a left calf strain. Both are key rotation players. The Bulls were down to nine healthy bodies by the end of the third quarter. "It was an ass-kicking," Kaplan said. "Many of their starters exited early. This one was chalked up."
Standings shift: Heat climb, Bulls sink
The win pushed the Heat to 2-1 in NBA Cup Group C Eastern Conference games, putting them just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks (2-0) for the group lead. Meanwhile, the Bulls dropped to 1-2, sliding into fourth place — a half-game behind the New York Knicks and ahead of the Charlotte Hornets. With the Cup’s top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout round, Chicago’s path just got significantly harder.
What’s next? A quick turnaround with no margin for error
The Bulls have one day to regroup. They host the Washington Wizards on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the United Center. Without Buzelis and Terry, and with morale shaken, they’ll need a miracle to avoid a three-game skid. The Heat, meanwhile, travel to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, November 23, 2025 — a tougher test, but one they’re clearly peaking for.
Why this matters beyond the box score
This game wasn’t just about points. It was about momentum. For the Heat, it confirmed they’re not just contenders — they’re a team built to run, shoot, and overwhelm. Ware, a 7-foot-1 rookie, is becoming a revelation. His ability to protect the rim and finish at the rim suggests Miami may have found their next franchise center.
For the Bulls, it’s a wake-up call. They entered the season with promise, but this loss exposed their lack of depth, defensive discipline, and mental toughness. With injuries piling up and confidence crumbling, Chicago’s playoff hopes are slipping. And if they can’t find answers against Washington — or soon after, against the Nets and Pacers — their season could spiral.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kel'el Ware’s performance compare to other rookies this season?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound game against Chicago was the first double-double by a Heat rookie since 2021 and the most rebounds by a rookie in a single game this season. Only two other rookies — Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher — have recorded higher rebound totals this year, but none matched Ware’s efficiency (10-of-13 FG) or impact on both ends. He’s now averaging 13.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game — numbers that put him in the top 5 among all NBA rookies.
Why is Miami scoring so many points this season?
The Heat have shifted to a pace-and-space system under coach Erik Spoelstra, emphasizing ball movement and three-point shooting. They’re averaging 35 three-point attempts per game — up from 27 last season — and shooting 38.7% from deep. Six players are averaging double figures, and their bench outscored Chicago’s reserves 52-21. This offensive explosion is no fluke; it’s the result of deliberate roster construction and system alignment.
What impact did Kevin Huerter’s ejection have on the game?
Huerter’s ejection in the third quarter — after a frustrated gesture led to a technical foul and then an automatic ejection — removed Chicago’s most reliable perimeter defender and a key playmaker. He was averaging 12.3 points and 3.9 assists per game before this loss. His absence forced the Bulls to rely on less-experienced players like Jalen Smith and Ayo Dosunmu to fill multiple roles, accelerating their collapse. The Heat went on a 12-2 run immediately after the ejection.
How does this loss affect the Bulls’ playoff chances?
Chicago is now 12-14 on the season and sits 10th in the Eastern Conference, just outside the play-in threshold. With injuries to Buzelis and Terry, and a schedule that includes games against the Celtics, Heat, and Nets in the next 10 days, they’re in danger of falling further behind. To make the play-in, they need to win at least 7 of their next 10. This loss makes that far less likely.
What’s the significance of Miami surpassing 140 points four times this season?
Before this season, the Heat had only reached 140 points once in the past seven seasons — back in 2021. Now they’ve done it four times in just 15 games. That’s a seismic offensive shift. It signals they’ve moved from a defensive-minded team to one capable of elite scoring. Only the Nuggets and Thunder have more 140+ point games this season. This isn’t just about scoring — it’s about identity.
Where does this game rank among the biggest blowouts in Bulls history?
The 36-point margin is the Bulls’ largest loss since a 144-101 defeat to the Warriors in January 2023. Historically, it’s their 12th-largest loss since 1990. Only three losses in franchise history have been worse — including a 51-point thrashing by the Lakers in 1997 and a 45-point loss to the Spurs in 2008. This game joins that list as one of the most embarrassing in the modern era.