The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they erased them. On Friday night, November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, Miami rolled to a stunning 143-107 victory in an Emirates NBA Cup Group C East Chicago contest, turning what looked like a competitive opener into a masterclass in offensive domination. The win wasn’t just a blowout — it was a statement. Miami’s 41-point margin was the Bulls’ largest deficit of the season, surpassing their 25-point loss to the New York Knicks just weeks prior. And it wasn’t just about the score. It was about the rhythm, the pace, the sheer volume of points — 143 of them — a number the Heat have hit just four times this season, matching their total from the last seven years combined.
How Miami Took Control — And Never Let Go
Chicago started strong. For the first five and a half minutes, the Bulls looked like the team that had won six of their last eight. Ayo Dosunmu hit back-to-back threes, Josh Giddey sliced through the defense, and the crowd at the United Center roared. But then, something shifted. Miami’s defense tightened. Their ball movement became surgical. And Kel’el Ware — the 7-foot-2 rookie out of Oregon — became a force of nature. He didn’t just score 20 points; he turned every rebound into a launchpad. His 14 boards included six on the offensive glass, sparking fast breaks that Chicago couldn’t recover from. By the end of the first quarter, Miami had turned an 18-11 deficit into a 36-32 lead. Then came the avalanche.Over the next 12 minutes, the Heat went on a 53-21 run — the kind of stretch that makes coaches pull their hair out and fans wonder if they’re watching the future of the NBA. Norman Powell added 19 points with crisp shooting, while Bam Adebayo, playing with quiet authority, dropped 18 and anchored the defense. Pelle Larsson and Davion Mitchell each chipped in 16, and the Heat’s bench outscored Chicago’s 48-20. By halftime, Miami led by 25. The Bulls never got closer than 14 points after that.
The Ejection That Summed Up Chicago’s Night
Midway through the third quarter, frustration boiled over for Chicago. Kevin Huerter, already on edge after a questionable foul call, waved his hand dismissively at the ball as it rolled toward the sideline. It hit referee Che Flores in the leg. No malice. No intent. But in the NBA’s strict code, it was enough. Huerter was ejected — the second player the Bulls have lost to ejection this season, a sign of unraveling composure. The crowd fell silent. The Heat didn’t flinch. They went on a 10-2 run immediately after. The game was over. The energy had drained out of the United Center like air from a punctured tire.Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just a win. It was a milestone. The Heat’s 143 points marked their fourth game above 140 this season — a number that matches their total from the entire span of 2018-19 through 2024-25. They’re now averaging 124.8 points per game, the highest in the NBA by nearly three full points. That’s not luck. It’s system. Coach Erik Spoelstra has built a machine: spacing, movement, three-point shooting, and relentless transition play. They’re not just scoring — they’re redefining pace in the modern game.Meanwhile, Chicago’s struggles are becoming harder to ignore. Despite Ayo Dosunmu’s 23-point effort and Josh Giddey’s near-triple-double (19 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists), the Bulls are 1-2 in the NBA Cup and sitting fourth in East Group C. Their defense, ranked 24th in the league, can’t keep up with elite offenses. And without a true interior presence to match Ware or Adebayo, they’re vulnerable in ways that can’t be fixed by shooting more threes.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Miami improves to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the NBA Cup, now just half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in Group C. Their next Cup game is scheduled for next week, though the opponent remains unconfirmed. If they keep this up, they’re a serious threat to win the entire tournament — and possibly make a deep playoff run.For Chicago, the calendar doesn’t get easier. They face the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks in their next two games, both teams with stronger defensive identities. If they can’t fix their rotations and stop giving up 140-point explosions, their playoff hopes — already hanging by a thread — could slip away before the All-Star break.
The Bigger Picture: The Rise of the New-Style Heat
Five years ago, Miami was known for grit, defense, and physicality. Now? They’re the league’s most explosive offense. The transformation is complete. Ware, a raw but towering talent, is becoming the perfect foil for Adebayo. Powell brings veteran poise. Larsson and Mitchell are the engines of their second unit. This isn’t a fluke. It’s the result of smart drafting, disciplined coaching, and an organizational culture that embraces evolution.The Bulls? They’re stuck. They have young talent — Giddey, Dosunmu — but no clear identity. Are they a three-point shooting team? A transition squad? A half-court grind? The answer seems to be: none of the above. And in a league where identity determines survival, that’s dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kel’el Ware’s performance compare to other rookies this season?
Kel’el Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound night is the best by any NBA rookie since Victor Wembanyama’s 28-point, 15-rebound game in December 2024. Among rookies in 2025-26, only Toronto’s Jalen Wilson has posted a higher rebound total (16), but Ware’s efficiency (8-of-12 FG) and defensive impact (2 steals, 3 blocks in his last three games) make him the most complete big man under 21. He’s on pace to become the first rookie since Karl-Anthony Towns to average 15+ points and 10+ rebounds per game.
Why is Miami scoring so much this season?
Miami’s offensive surge comes from three factors: elite spacing (seven players averaging over 1.0 points per possession), a league-leading 38.7 three-point attempts per game, and the fastest transition pace in the East (112.3 possessions per 48 minutes). Coach Spoelstra has shifted from his traditional half-court system to a hybrid that prioritizes ball movement and open shots — a style that mirrors the Suns’ 2021 championship run, but even more aggressive.
What does this loss mean for the Bulls’ playoff chances?
Chicago is now 8-7, one game behind the Knicks and Hornets in the East’s 8th-place race. With a net rating of -3.2 and a defense that allows 118.7 points per 100 possessions, they’re not built for the playoffs. Even if they make it, they’d be swept in the first round by teams like Boston or Milwaukee. Without a rim protector or a go-to scorer beyond Dosunmu, their ceiling is low — and this 41-point loss exposed it.
How unusual is a 140-point game in today’s NBA?
Only six teams have scored 140+ points this season, and Miami is now one of only two teams to do it four times. The last team to hit 140+ four times in a single season was the 2021-22 Phoenix Suns. Historically, such scoring outbursts are rare — since 2000, only 17 teams have reached 140+ points more than three times in a season. Miami’s pace and efficiency suggest they could do it again — possibly as often as once every three games.
What impact did Che Flores’ ejection of Kevin Huerter have on the game?
While Huerter’s ejection didn’t directly change the score, it was a psychological turning point. Chicago lost its most reliable off-ball shooter and defensive stopper. His absence forced the Bulls to play smaller, which opened the lane for Adebayo and Ware to dominate inside. More importantly, it signaled to the team that they were losing control — a mental collapse that no amount of talent can overcome.
Where does this game rank among the biggest Heat victories in recent history?
This 41-point win is Miami’s largest margin of victory since a 45-point win over the Atlanta Hawks in March 2023. It’s their second-biggest of the 2025-26 season and the largest ever against the Bulls since 2012. In terms of offensive dominance, it ranks in the top five in franchise history for points scored in a regulation game — behind only their 149-point outburst against the Magic in 2021 and their 147-point game against the Pistons in 2019.
