Heat Crush Bulls 147-107 in Chicago, Extending Bulls' Grueling Four-Games-in-Seven-Days Stretch

The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they dismantled them. On Friday night, November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, the Heat rolled to a stunning 147-107 victory in an NBA Cup Chicago matchup that left fans stunned and the Bulls’ bench silent. The final score wasn’t a fluke — it was the culmination of a brutal, five-quarter collapse by Chicago, who played their fourth game in seven days and looked every bit of it. The Heat, meanwhile, looked like a well-oiled machine, with eight players scoring in double figures and zero signs of fatigue.

A Schedule That Broke Them

The Bulls entered this game on fumes. Just 48 hours after scraping out a 122-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on a last-second buzzer-beater, they were back on the court — their third game in four nights. Before that, they’d played the Indiana Pacers on November 15 and the Atlanta Hawks on November 18. That’s four games in seven days. No NBA team should be expected to compete at a high level under that kind of load. Coach Billy Donovan tried to manage minutes, subbing in 11 players in the first quarter alone. It wasn’t strategy — it was survival. And it didn’t work.

The Second Quarter That Killed Chicago

The first quarter was competitive. Miami led 36-32, despite shooting just 41% from the field. The Bulls held their own, thanks to aggressive rebounding and a few hot threes. But then came the second quarter — and everything fell apart. For nearly three and a half minutes, Chicago didn’t score a single point. Not a layup. Not a free throw. Not even a contested jumper. The Heat seized the silence, going on a 17-0 run that turned a four-point lead into a 21-point advantage. By halftime, the score was 70-52. The Bulls didn’t just lose momentum — they lost their identity.

Miami’s Balanced Attack

While Chicago’s offense sputtered, Miami’s was a symphony of precision. According to Bleacher Nation, eight Heat players scored at least 10 points. Jimmy Butler (though he’s now with the 76ers, his former role as the Heat’s engine is still referenced in team culture) set the tone early with crafty drives, while Tyler Herro buried four three-pointers in the third quarter alone. Victor Oladipo, now in his second season with Miami after a long recovery, added 18 points and five assists off the bench. The Heat’s bench outscored Chicago’s 58-29 — a chasm that told the whole story.

Rebounding and Fatigue: The Silent Killers

Chicago’s weakness — offensive rebounding — returned with a vengeance. Against Portland, they’d grabbed 14 second-chance points. Here, they managed just six. Miami, meanwhile, dominated the glass with 19 offensive rebounds, turning them into 28 second-chance points. The Bulls looked exhausted. Their rotations were slow. Their passes were lazy. Their defense? Nonexistent. As Bleacher Nation put it: “The Bulls only looked worse as the game went on.”

A Discrepancy in the Numbers — And What It Means

Here’s the odd part: ESPN reported the final score as 143-107. But Bleacher Nation’s quarter-by-quarter breakdown — 36-32, 34-20, 41-22, 36-33 — adds up to 147-107. The math doesn’t lie. The 143 figure appears to be a data-entry error, possibly from a delayed feed. The real story? Miami didn’t just win — they obliterated a team that had no business being on the floor.

What’s Next for the Bulls? A Must-Win in 18 Hours

The Bulls’ schedule doesn’t pause. Not even for a heartbreak like this. Their next game? Saturday, November 22, 2025 — less than 18 hours after the final buzzer — against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. That’s a must-win. A do-or-die. Because if they lose this one, they’ll be 8-8. And with the Eastern Conference as tight as it is, that’s a death sentence for playoff hopes. Donovan has no time to fix rotations. No time to rest bodies. He’ll have to find a way to get his team to care — again — after a performance that felt more like surrender than struggle.

Historical Context: A Rivalry on the Rise

This wasn’t just a bad night. It was part of a growing rivalry. Earlier in 2025, the Heat and Bulls split two close games: Miami won 109-90 on April 16 as underdogs, and Chicago responded with a 119-111 win on April 9 — also as underdogs. That back-and-forth hinted at parity. Friday night shattered that illusion. The Heat aren’t just better — they’re deeper, sharper, and more disciplined. The Bulls? They’re running on fumes.

Why This Matters Beyond Chicago

This game is a warning shot to every NBA team with a congested schedule. The league’s push for more games, more markets, and more national TV slots is creating a hidden crisis: player burnout. The Bulls aren’t alone. The Pistons, Knicks, and Raptors have all faced similar stretches. But Chicago’s collapse was the most visible — and the most brutal. If teams keep playing four games in seven days without consequence, we’ll see more blowouts like this. And more injuries. And more broken seasons.