When the Miami Heat took the floor at the United Center on Friday night, no one expected a 36-point rout — but that’s exactly what happened. By the final buzzer, the Heat had demolished the Chicago Bulls 143-107, turning what was supposed to be a tight NBA Cup showdown into a statement performance. At the heart of it all? Kel'el Ware, the 21-year-old center who turned heads with 20 points and 14 rebounds, playing like a man possessed. The Heat didn’t just win — they rewrote their own offensive history.
A Night of Offensive Fireworks
It started with a spark — the Bulls jumped out to an 18-11 lead in the first five minutes, fans in Chicago roaring as if they were about to steal a crucial conference win. But then, everything changed. Miami responded with a 53-21 run over the next 12 minutes, turning the United Center from a home-court advantage into a silent witness. By halftime, the Heat led 70-52. The Bulls didn’t just fade — they collapsed. Their second quarter, a mere 20 points, was their second-worst of the season, trailing only a 17-point disaster against Cleveland two weeks prior.
By the fourth quarter, the Heat were just playing keep-away. Norman Powell hit mid-range jumpers like clockwork, finishing with 19. Bam Adebayo added 18, while Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each chipped in 16. The final score? 143 points — the most Miami has scored in a single game this season, and the fourth time they’ve broken 140. That’s as many 140-point games as they’d had in the previous seven seasons combined.
Chicago’s Collapse and a Controversial Ejection
For the Bulls, it was a night of missed opportunities and unforced errors. Ayo Dosunmu led all scorers with 23 points, and Josh Giddey nearly notched a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. But the team’s rhythm was shattered by poor shot selection and defensive lapses. The turning point? The third quarter, when Kevin Huerter — Chicago’s shooting guard — waved his hand in frustration after a foul call. The ball bounced off the referee’s leg. That’s all it took.
Per NBA rules, any intentional contact with an official — even accidental — triggers an automatic ejection. Referees Che Flores and Tony Brothers had no choice. Huerter was gone. The Bulls, already down 25, lost their last offensive spark. "It was a moment of frustration," one Bulls insider told reporters afterward. "But in the heat of the moment, you don’t think about the rules. You just react. And that’s on us."
Historical Context: Miami’s Offensive Surge
Before this season, the Heat had never cracked 140 points more than once in a single year. Their highest-scoring game in the last seven seasons? 138, against Philadelphia in 2022. Now, they’ve done it four times in just 16 games. That’s not luck. That’s system. Coach Erik Spoelstra has transformed Miami into a motion-heavy, three-point shooting machine — averaging 124.8 points per game, the best in the NBA. Their 36-point first quarter Friday was the second-highest opening frame of the season. Their 41-point lead? The second-largest of the year.
Meanwhile, the Bulls’ 107 points allowed were their second-worst defensive performance of the season — right behind their 132-point loss to the Knicks on November 2. They’re now 1-2 in the NBA Cup, stuck in fourth place in Group C, half a game behind the Knicks and ahead of Charlotte. The margin for error is vanishing.
What This Means for the NBA Cup Race
The Heat’s win moves them to 2-1 in Cup play, just half a game behind the undefeated Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in East Group C. A win over Milwaukee next week could vault them into the driver’s seat. But more than standings, this game sent a message: Miami isn’t just a playoff contender — they’re a team that can blow out anyone on any night.
For Chicago, the road gets harder. With 12 games left in the Cup, they need to win at least five of their next six just to stay in contention. Giddey’s near-triple-double was encouraging, but without consistent defense and timely scoring, they’ll keep losing games like this — by 30, 35, even 40 points.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
- First quarter: Heat 36, Bulls 32 — Miami’s second-highest opening frame of the season
- Second quarter: Heat 34, Bulls 20 — Chicago’s second-worst quarter of the year
- Third quarter: Heat 32, Bulls 23 — Huerter ejected after contact with referee
- Fourth quarter: Heat 41, Bulls 32 — Final margin: 36 points, the Bulls’ largest deficit of the season
One play stood out: with 1.4 seconds left in the second quarter, Keshad Johnson blocked Giddey’s layup — a moment that symbolized Miami’s defensive intensity. By then, the game was already over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Kel'el Ware’s performance in the context of the NBA Cup?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound game was his best of the season and one of the most dominant performances by a rookie center in the NBA Cup’s short history. Only three other players in the 2025-26 Cup have posted a double-double with 20+ points and 14+ rebounds — and none were under 22 years old. His efficiency (9-of-12 shooting) suggests he’s becoming a reliable interior force for Miami, which could be critical if Adebayo faces injury or foul trouble later in the season.
Why did the Bulls collapse so badly in the second quarter?
Chicago’s offense went silent because Miami switched to a full-court pressure defense that disrupted their rhythm. The Bulls turned the ball over seven times in the quarter, and their shooters — especially Alex Caruso and Jalen Smith — missed 10 of their 12 attempts. Meanwhile, Miami’s ball movement created open threes and easy layups, with 14 assists in just 12 minutes. The Bulls looked unprepared for Miami’s pace, and their bench didn’t provide the spark needed.
What does Kevin Huerter’s ejection mean for Chicago’s future games?
Huerter’s ejection isn’t just a one-game issue — it’s a warning. The NBA has been cracking down on any contact with officials since last season, and this was the second ejection for a Bulls player in three weeks. Huerter could face a fine or suspension if this is deemed a pattern. More importantly, his absence in the third quarter removed Chicago’s most reliable perimeter shooter, and the team went 0-for-7 from three without him. Coach Billy Donovan will need to adjust his rotation immediately.
How does Miami’s 143-point game compare to other high-scoring teams this season?
Only two teams — the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder — have scored more than 143 points this season. But Miami did it against a Bulls team that entered the game ranked 11th in defensive efficiency. The Heat’s ability to score efficiently without relying on a single superstar (no player scored over 20 except Ware) makes them uniquely dangerous. Their offensive rating of 132.4 this season is the highest in the league — and it’s not just because of shooting; they’re averaging 32.1 assists per game, second only to Golden State.
What’s next for the Miami Heat in the NBA Cup?
Miami faces the Milwaukee Bucks on November 28 at Fiserv Forum — a game that could decide Group C’s top seed. They also play the Charlotte Hornets on December 2, a team they’ve beaten twice this season. If they win both, they’ll likely clinch a top-two finish and avoid the play-in round. But the real test? Maintaining this level of intensity. They’ve now scored 140+ in four games — can they do it again in back-to-back games? That’s the next challenge.
Is this a sign the Bulls are falling out of playoff contention?
Not yet — Chicago is still within striking distance of the Eastern Conference’s 8th seed. But this loss exposed critical flaws: inconsistent defense, poor bench scoring, and a lack of leadership under pressure. With 14 games left in the regular season, they need to win at least 9 of them to stay relevant. If they keep losing by 30+ points to teams they’re supposed to beat, the front office may start looking at trades before the deadline. The clock is ticking.
