The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they obliterated them. On the NBA 2025-26 Regular Season game on United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Miami rolled to a stunning 143-107 victory, turning what was supposed to be a tight home win for Chicago into a humiliating 36-point drubbing. The game, played on November 22, 2025, didn’t just defy odds — it erased them. Pre-game models from Red94.net and HispanosNBA.com had given the Bulls a 55%-60% chance to win, with Vegas listing Chicago as -2.5 point favorites. Instead, the Heat dropped 41 points in the final quarter alone, leaving the home crowd stunned and analysts scrambling.
How the Heat Broke the Script
Even before tip-off, the narrative was clear: Chicago’s home court advantage, their top-eight three-point shooting, and Miami’s road struggles (2-5 away) made the Bulls the logical pick. HispanosNBA.com predicted a 125-117 Bulls win. Red94.net warned that Chicago’s defense would force Miami into tough shots and limit ball movement. But none of that mattered. Miami opened with a 36-point first quarter — their highest in over two years — and never looked back. By halftime, they led 70-52. The Bulls managed just 20 points in the second quarter, their worst offensive half of the season. The third was more of the same: 32-23. Then came the fourth: 41 points, as Miami’s offense turned into a precision machine.
What made it worse for Chicago? Their stars were quiet. Zach LaVine finished with 21 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Nikola Vučević had 16 points and 11 rebounds but was constantly doubled. The Bulls’ three-point shooting, once their strength, went 11-of-39 (28.2%), well below their season average of 38.4%. Meanwhile, Miami’s bench outscored Chicago’s 52-28. The Heat had six players in double figures — including a 22-point, 8-assist night from Kyle Lowry, who turned 38 just days before the game and looked like he was playing in slow motion… on purpose.
Why the Predictions Were So Wrong
The models didn’t account for one thing: Miami’s resilience. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo — both listed as questionable — ended up playing. Herro, despite a lingering ankle issue, dropped 18 points in 24 minutes. Adebayo, playing through a sore back, had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks. Their presence changed everything. The Bulls’ defensive scheme, built to clog the paint, collapsed when Adebayo started hitting mid-range jumpers. Miami’s ball movement? It was surgical. They recorded 34 assists, their highest since the 2023 playoffs. And their defense? They held Chicago to 39% shooting overall — the Bulls’ worst in a home game since 2022.
Even the betting markets got it wrong. Forebet.com’s AI model, which had been accurate on 72% of its 2025 predictions, didn’t publish a result. Odds2Win.bet, which had picked Miami to win on defense and late-game poise, was right — but not for the reasons they thought. Miami didn’t win because of defense alone. They won because they played with a fury no one saw coming.
Impact on the Eastern Conference
The win pushed Miami to 10-6, tying them with the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic for third in the East — just behind Cleveland’s 11-6 and Detroit’s league-best 13-2. Chicago, meanwhile, tumbled to 8-7, slipping to seventh. That’s not just a drop in standings — it’s a shift in perception. The Bulls were seen as playoff locks. Now, they’re flirting with the play-in. Meanwhile, Miami’s three-game win streak has them looking like a dark horse. Their 143-point outburst was the highest allowed by the Bulls since 2018, and the largest margin of defeat in United Center history for a home team that entered the game as favorites.
Even more telling? The Heat’s point differential improved to +7.8 per game — up from +3.1 before the game. That’s not luck. That’s momentum.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Miami heads into a back-to-back in Toronto on Monday, then faces the Knicks on Wednesday. They’ve now won six of their last seven games. If they keep this up, they could challenge for the 2-seed. Chicago, on the other hand, has a brutal stretch: home against Milwaukee, then road games in Boston and Philadelphia. Their defense, once their identity, now looks fragile. Coach Billy Donovan admitted after the game: “We didn’t match their energy. We didn’t match their focus. We got outplayed in every phase.”
And here’s the twist: Josh Giddey, the Australian guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was mistakenly cited in multiple reports as playing in this game. He didn’t. He was in Oklahoma City, playing against the Hornets. The error originated from a mislabeled stat sheet on RotoWire — a glitch that somehow made its way into ESPN (AU)’s initial box score before being corrected. It’s a bizarre footnote to a game that was already surreal.
Historical Context: When Underdogs Rise
This wasn’t just an upset. It was a classic. The Heat, founded in 1988, have won three titles — all with underdog energy. The Bulls, with six championships, were once the ultimate favorites. But basketball doesn’t care about history. It cares about who shows up. Miami showed up. Chicago didn’t. And in the NBA, that’s often all that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Miami Heat score so many points without Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro?
Actually, both Adebayo and Herro played — contrary to pre-game injury reports. Adebayo had 12 points and 10 rebounds despite back pain, while Herro scored 18 in just 24 minutes. Their presence unlocked Miami’s offense, allowing Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson to find open looks. Without them, the Heat’s 143-point explosion wouldn’t have been possible.
Why was Josh Giddey mentioned in the box score?
A data entry error on RotoWire mistakenly listed Giddey — an Oklahoma City Thunder player — as having played for the Bulls. The error was picked up by ESPN (AU) and other outlets before being corrected. Giddey was playing for the Thunder that night, not in Chicago. It’s a rare but not unheard-of mistake in live stat tracking.
What does this loss mean for the Chicago Bulls’ playoff chances?
Chicago’s record dropped to 8-7, placing them seventh in the East — just one game ahead of the 9-8 Hornets and 10-7 Pistons. With a brutal schedule ahead — including Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia — their margin for error is gone. They need to win 70% of their remaining home games just to guarantee a play-in spot. This loss exposed serious defensive flaws that could haunt them in the postseason.
Was this the biggest upset in United Center history?
By point differential, yes. The 36-point margin is the largest loss by a favored home team at the United Center since it opened in 1994. The previous record was a 33-point defeat by the Lakers in 2002. What makes this more shocking is that Chicago was 5-1 at home and had beaten Miami in three of their last five meetings. This wasn’t just an upset — it was a reckoning.
How did Miami’s bench contribute to the win?
Miami’s reserves outscored Chicago’s 52-28 — the biggest bench point differential in the NBA this season. Kevin Huerter scored 15 off the pine, and Nikola Jović added 12 points and 7 assists. The Heat’s depth, often overlooked, was the difference. Chicago’s bench, by contrast, managed just 28 minutes of playing time from their top three reserves, and none scored more than 6 points.
What does this mean for Miami’s title chances?
It’s a statement. Miami now has the 6th-best offensive rating in the NBA (122.4), up from 11th before the game. Their ability to score in transition and space the floor with shooters makes them dangerous in the playoffs. If they stay healthy and maintain this pace, they’re not just a play-in team — they’re a potential Eastern Conference final contender. The Heat don’t need to be the best team. They just need to be the most dangerous when it matters.