The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls on Friday night — they obliterated them. In a stunning 143-107 rout at an unnamed arena in Chicago, Illinois, on the NBA Cup Group C matchupChicago, the Heat turned a slow start into one of the most lopsided victories of the 2025-2026 season. The turning point? A 53-21 scoring burst that erased an 18-11 Bulls lead and flipped the game on its head before halftime. By the final buzzer, Miami had built a 41-point advantage — the largest deficit Chicago has faced all season, and the second-biggest lead the Heat have ever posted this year.
A Performance for the Ages
Kel'el Ware, the 21-year-old forward out of Oregon, was the engine of Miami’s offensive explosion. He finished with a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds, playing with a physicality that overwhelmed Chicago’s frontcourt. But Ware wasn’t alone. Norman Powell added 19 points off the bench, Bam Adebayo chipped in 18, and guards Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each dropped 16. Five Heat players scored in double figures. That’s not just balanced — it’s surgical.For Chicago, Ayo Dosunmu fought hard with a team-high 23 points, and Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. But even his effort couldn’t stem the tide. The Bulls’ offense sputtered after that early run. They scored just 21 points in the second quarter — the same number Miami dropped in the final 6:30 of the first half alone.
A 140-Point Machine
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. The Heat entered the game averaging 124.8 points per game, the best in the NBA. But this was their fourth game this season surpassing 140 points. Think about that. Over the previous seven full seasons — from 2018-19 through 2024-25 — Miami had only hit 140 points four times total. Now they’ve done it in just 18 games this year. The pace has changed. The system has clicked. And it’s not just about shooting — it’s about transition, spacing, and relentless ball movement.
Coach Erik Spoelstra’s squad is no longer just a playoff contender. They’re a scoring phenomenon. When you’ve got Ware crashing the boards, Powell hitting pull-ups, and Adebayo rolling to the rim like a freight train, defenses simply can’t cover everything. The Bulls looked exhausted by the third quarter. They had no answer.
Chaos in the Third: Huerter’s Ejection
Then came the moment that turned heads — and got a player tossed.
In the third quarter, Kevin Huerter, the Bulls’ guard, was visibly frustrated after a foul call went against him. As he waved his hand toward the ball in protest, it bounced off his fingertips — and struck referee Che Flores squarely in the back of the leg. The officials didn’t hesitate. Huerter was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. No replay needed. No warning. Just a quick hand signal and a walk to the locker room.
It was a bizarre, almost cinematic moment — one that symbolized Chicago’s unraveling. The Bulls were already down by 25. After Huerter’s exit, they lost their last semblance of composure. Miami went on a 12-2 run over the next three minutes. The crowd fell silent.
NBA Cup Standings: Heat Climb, Bulls Sink
The win improved Miami’s NBA Cup record to 2-1, putting them in second place in East Group C — just half a game behind the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks (2-0). The Heat are now firmly in the driver’s seat for a group-stage bye.
For Chicago, it’s a disaster. Their record fell to 1-2, dropping them to fourth in the group — half a game behind the New York Knicks (implied 1.5-0.5) and half a game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets (implied 0.5-1.5). With only four group games total, the Bulls are now on the brink of elimination. They need wins against the Knicks and Hornets next week just to stay alive.
And here’s the kicker: Miami’s 36-point win was their largest margin of victory since 2022. Chicago’s 41-point loss? Their worst since 2021. The Bulls haven’t lost by more than 25 since November 2 — until now.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about a single game. It’s about momentum. The Heat are playing with a swagger that hasn’t been seen in South Florida since the LeBron-era finals runs. Ware, a second-year player, is becoming a cornerstone. Powell, acquired in the offseason, is the perfect veteran foil. And Adebayo? He’s playing like an All-NBA center again.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s roster looks disjointed. Dosunmu is a warrior, but he’s carrying too much. Giddey’s passing is elite, but his shot is inconsistent. Smith and Huerter are role players who can’t carry a team when things go sideways. And without a clear identity, they’re just one bad night away from falling out of playoff contention — even before the NBA Cup ends.
What’s Next?
The Heat host the Orlando Magic on Sunday in their next NBA Cup game. A win there, and they clinch a top-two finish in the group. The Bulls, meanwhile, face the Knicks on Monday in a must-win showdown. Lose that one, and their Cup hopes are dead. Both teams then return to the regular season — but the Cup has already revealed who’s rising, and who’s falling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Kel'el Ware’s performance for the Miami Heat’s future?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound game is the most dominant outing by a Miami big man since Bam Adebayo’s 2023 All-Star season. At just 21, he’s become the first Heat rookie-turned-sophomore to post multiple 14-rebound games in a single season since 1995. His athleticism and timing around the rim suggest he could be the long-term solution at power forward — especially if he continues developing his mid-range game.
Why did the Bulls collapse after their strong start?
Chicago’s early 18-11 lead came from aggressive drives and Miami’s slow defensive rotations. But once the Heat switched to a full-court press and forced turnovers, the Bulls’ ball movement broke down. They took 12 contested jumpers in the second quarter — making just two. Miami’s defense, led by Mitchell and Larsson, locked down the paint and forced 14 turnovers in the final 20 minutes.
What impact does this loss have on Chicago’s playoff chances?
With the Bulls now 1-2 in the NBA Cup and 9-11 in the regular season, they’re outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture. To make the playoffs, they need to win at least 8 of their next 10 games — and avoid another 30-point loss like this one. Their defense ranks 25th in the league. If they don’t fix it soon, they could miss the postseason for the third straight year.
Is the NBA Cup still relevant if teams treat it like a regular season game?
Yes — because this game proved it. Miami treated it as a high-stakes contest, using it to fine-tune rotations and build chemistry. The Heat’s 140-point output wouldn’t have happened in a meaningless exhibition. And for Chicago, this loss could cost them a top-8 seed. The Cup now serves as a legitimate tiebreaker and seeding tool — not just a glorified preseason tournament.
How unusual is it for a team to score 140+ points four times in one season?
Only three teams in NBA history have hit 140+ points four times in a single season before 2025-26: the 2023-24 Denver Nuggets, the 2022-23 Phoenix Suns, and the 2018-19 Houston Rockets. Miami joining that list shows how radically offensive basketball has evolved. The league average is now 118.3 points per game — and Miami’s pace is nearly 20 points above that.
What does Kevin Huerter’s ejection say about the Bulls’ locker room culture?
Huerter’s outburst — a rare emotional lapse for the usually composed guard — suggests mounting frustration within Chicago’s roster. With head coach Billy Donovan struggling to find consistent lineups and no clear offensive identity, tension is rising. This isn’t just a bad night. It’s a symptom of deeper issues: poor communication, lack of leadership, and a team that’s still searching for its rhythm.
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