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Miami Heat | Chicago Bulls
The Miami Heat stepped onto the court Wednesday night with the odds stacked against them. Facing the Chicago Bulls on the road in the 9-vs-10 play-in matchup, they were up against a team that had swept them 3-0 during the regular season.
But when it mattered most, Miami flipped the script.
In a win-or-go-home contest, the Heat delivered a commanding 109-90 victory over Chicago, punching their ticket to the No. 8 seed game and ending the Bulls’ season in the process. And after the win, Miami had just six words to share on social media:
“Got the win vs. Chicago that mattered.”
Despite Chicago’s regular season dominance over Miami—each of their three wins coming by single digits—the Heat showed no signs of past struggles. They came out with intensity, building a 24-point lead by halftime and never allowing the Bulls to close the gap.
Tyler Herro led the charge with a scorching 38-point performance, shooting an efficient 13-for-19 from the field. Andrew Wiggins backed him up with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Bam Adebayo recorded a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, helping to anchor both ends of the floor.
Chicago’s Josh Giddey continued his strong stretch of play with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with a rejuvenated and motivated Heat squad.
With the win, Miami now advances to their third consecutive No. 8 seed game. This time, they’ll travel to face the Atlanta Hawks for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
