The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls on Friday night — they erased them. On November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, the Heat stormed to a 143-107 rout, their fourth game this season surpassing 140 points — a total that matches their entire output from the previous seven seasons combined. Led by Kel'el Ware’s 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Norman Powell’s 19, Miami didn’t just win. They made a statement.
From Early Lead to Total Collapse
Chicago opened strong, racing out to an 18-11 advantage in the first 5½ minutes. Fans in the United Center dared to hope. Then came the Heat’s response — a 53-21 scoring blitz that turned the game into a demolition job. By halftime, Miami led by 25. And it only got worse. The Bulls never got closer than 14 points after that. In the fourth quarter, the Heat dropped 41 points — the most by any team in a single quarter this season. The final 41-point margin? The largest deficit Chicago has faced all year, surpassing their previous worst of 25 against the New York Knicks on November 2.
Heat’s Offensive Machine Keeps Rolling
With this win, Miami improved to 10-6 on the season and maintained their NBA-best scoring average of 124.8 points per game. They’ve now hit 140+ points four times in 2025-26. That’s as many as they did from 2018-19 through 2024-25 — seven full seasons. Bam Adebayo added 18, while Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each chipped in 16. The ball moved like poetry. Assists? 32. Three-pointers? 19. Efficiency? Unstoppable. Even the Heat’s bench outscored Chicago’s starters 54-49.
Bulls’ Night of Misfortune
For Chicago, it was a night of pain — physical and emotional. Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 23 points, and Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. But the damage went beyond the scoreboard. In the third quarter, Kevin Huerter was ejected after waving his hand in frustration following a foul call — and accidentally sent the ball flying into referee Che Flores’s leg. The league later confirmed it was unintentional, but the ejection stood.
Then came the injuries. Forward Matas Buzelis exited with a right ankle sprain, and guard Dalen Terry left with a left calf strain. Both are listed as day-to-day, but with Chicago’s depth already thinning, these absences could be costly. The Bulls now sit at 8-7, fourth in NBA Cup Group C — half a game behind the Knicks and Hornets, with playoff positioning slipping away.
What This Means for the Race
The Heat now lead the Eastern Conference in scoring by nearly four points per game over the next closest team. Their offensive rhythm isn’t just good — it’s historic. They’ve become the first team since the 2019-20 Warriors to record four 140-point games in a single season before December. Meanwhile, the Bulls’ defense? It’s broken. They’ve allowed 120+ points in six of their last seven games. And with injuries piling up, their rotation is becoming a guessing game.
For Miami, this win solidifies them as the team to beat in the NBA Cup’s Eastern Conference. They’re 2-1 in group play, trailing only the Milwaukee Bucks by half a game. For Chicago? They’re in danger of missing the Cup playoffs entirely — something no one predicted after their promising 6-2 start.
What’s Next?
The Heat head to Philadelphia on Sunday, November 23, to face the 76ers — a team that’s quietly climbed to 9-7 and hungry for revenge after losing to Miami in overtime just ten days ago. The Bulls, meanwhile, host the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. It’s a must-win game for Chicago. Lose, and they fall to 8-8. Win, and they still have a shot — but only if they can stop the bleeding, both on the court and in the locker room.
Behind the Numbers
Let’s break down what made this game so lopsided:
- Miami’s 41-point fourth quarter — highest in the NBA this season
- Kel’el Ware’s 14 rebounds — most by a Heat rookie this year
- Chicago’s 20-point second quarter — their lowest-scoring frame of the season
- 19 three-pointers made by Miami — tied for second-most in franchise history
- Heat’s assist-to-turnover ratio: 32-11 — near-perfect ball movement
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Kel'el Ware’s performance for the Heat’s future?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound night isn’t just a breakout — it’s a signpost. As a rookie, he’s now the first Heat player since Bam Adebayo in 2019 to post 20+ points and 14+ rebounds in a game. His mobility and rim protection are transforming Miami’s defense, and with Adebayo resting more, Ware could become their starting center by January. He’s not just filling in — he’s elevating the team’s ceiling.
Why has Miami’s offense improved so dramatically this season?
The addition of Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell has added elite shooting and playmaking depth. But the real change? The Heat are now running a motion offense that prioritizes spacing and ball movement over isolation plays. They’re averaging 31 assists per game — up from 24 last year. And with Pelle Larsson hitting 47% from deep, defenses can’t sag off. It’s not just talent — it’s system.
What does this loss mean for the Bulls’ playoff chances?
Chicago’s playoff path just got narrower. At 8-7, they’re already behind the Knicks, Hornets, and Pistons in the Eastern Conference standings. With injuries to Buzelis and Terry, and no clear second option behind Dosunmu, their offense stalls without Giddey orchestrating. If they don’t win at least 6 of their next 8 games, they’ll miss the NBA Cup playoffs — and that’s assuming they even make the cut for the regular season’s final 10.
Is this the worst loss in Chicago Bulls history?
No — but it’s the worst since their 148-102 loss to the Lakers in 2021. The 41-point margin is their largest since 2019, and the fact that it happened at home, against a team they were expected to compete with, makes it especially painful. The Bulls haven’t lost by more than 30 points in regulation since 2020. This wasn’t just a loss — it was a reckoning.
What’s the significance of the Heat hitting 140+ points four times this season?
Only three teams in NBA history have ever hit 140+ points four times in a single season before December: the 1986-87 Lakers, the 2018-19 Rockets, and now the 2025-26 Heat. This isn’t luck. It’s a system built on pace, spacing, and unselfishness. The Heat are playing faster than any team since the 2015-16 Warriors. And unlike those teams, they’re doing it with defense — they’re top 10 in opponent field goal percentage too.
Could Kevin Huerter’s ejection impact his season?
Not directly — the league ruled it accidental and didn’t fine or suspend him. But emotionally, it’s a red flag. Huerter has struggled with composure all season, and this was his third technical in five games. If it continues, the Bulls may bench him in crunch time, especially with younger guards like Terry and Buzelis sidelined. His role could shrink dramatically if he can’t control his frustration.