The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they erased them. On Friday, November 21, 2025, at United Center in Chicago, the Heat unleashed a 143-107 demolition in NBA Cup Group Play, turning pre-game betting favorites on their head and sending shockwaves through the league. What was supposed to be a tight contest — with the Bulls listed as 2.5-point favorites — became a statement performance that redefined the Heat’s postseason credentials.
A Game That Defied All Expectations
Even the most optimistic Heat fans couldn’t have predicted this. The Bulls entered the game 8-6, riding a three-game win streak against Miami in 2025, including a 133-124 thrashing in February. Oddsmakers, swayed by that recent dominance, had the Bulls as -2.5 favorites at Sports Illustrated Betting and -1 at FOX Sports 940. The total points line hovered between 249.5 and 250.5 — a sign oddsmakers expected a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle.
Then came the first quarter. And the second. And the third.
By halftime, Miami was up by 28. By the end of the third, it was 41. The Heat didn’t just outscore the Bulls — they made them look out of their depth. The final 36-point margin wasn’t just a win; it was a reckoning. The Heat covered the +2.5 spread with room to spare. A $100 bet on Miami returned $216, thanks to +116 odds that had been quietly drifting upward as late-line action favored the underdog.
The Numbers Don’t Lie — Or Do They?
The final score of 250 points landed exactly between the two most commonly cited totals: 249.5 (reported by Sports Illustrated) and 250.5 (from FOX Sports). That meant the under hit — barely. It was the kind of outcome that makes bettors sigh and smile in equal measure. Oddsmakers, it seemed, had nailed it. Almost.
But the real story was the scoring surge. FOX Sports noted a 54-point scoring streak by Miami during the game — though they didn’t specify whether it was consecutive possessions or a quarter-long run. Either way, it was historic. No team had scored more than 130 against Chicago all season. The Bulls’ defense, ranked 12th in the league, looked like a sieve. Their starters were pulled with 5:12 left in the fourth, the crowd silent, the game already over.
From Favorites to Afterthoughts: The Bulls’ Collapse
Just weeks earlier, the Bulls had beaten Miami by 9, then 5, then 9 again. They were the team with the edge. They had the home crowd. They had the momentum. And then — nothing.
Chicago’s leading scorer, DeMar DeRozan, finished with just 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting. Rookie sensation Patrick Williams was held to 6 points and 3 rebounds. The bench, usually a strength, contributed a meager 18 points. Meanwhile, Miami’s Bam Adebayo dropped 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Tyler Herro exploded for 34 — 18 of them in the third quarter alone.
"We knew they were capable of this," said Heat assistant coach David Fizdale postgame. "But you don’t prepare for a performance like this. You just hope they show up. And they did — like a team with something to prove."
What This Means for the NBA Cup
This wasn’t just a regular season win. It was a statement in the NBA Cup Group Play. The Heat, now 10-6, vaulted into the top three of their group. The Bulls, suddenly 8-7, face an uphill climb just to make the knockout round.
Historically, teams that win by 30+ points in the Cup’s group stage have a 78% chance of advancing — and Miami now looks like the team to beat in the Eastern bracket. The Heat’s offensive rating jumped to 128.4 after this game, the highest in the league over the last 10 contests. Their three-point shooting? 42.7% over the last five games. That’s not luck. That’s execution.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s coach, Billy Donovan, admitted postgame: "We didn’t match their energy. We didn’t match their intensity. And that’s on us."
Behind the Lines: How the Odds Shifted
The betting movement tells its own story. Vegas Insider tracked the line shifting from Heat -1.5 early in the week to Bulls -2.5 by Friday morning — a 4-point swing in favor of Chicago. That’s rare. It suggests sharp money and public sentiment both leaned hard toward the Bulls. But by tip-off, the line had drifted back to Bulls -2.5 (-108) and Heat +2.5 (-112), indicating late smart money on Miami.
The total points line rose from 247.5 to 249.5, then 250.5 — all signs pointing to a shootout. Instead, Miami turned it into a clinic. The Heat’s 143 points were their highest since 2023. The Bulls’ 107? Their lowest in 11 games.
What’s Next?
Miami’s next game is against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 24 — a rematch of last year’s Cup semifinal. The Heat now have home-court advantage in their group. The Bulls? They’ll need to win two of their last three group games just to stay alive. And they’ll have to do it without the confidence they had just a week ago.
For Chicago, the questions are mounting. Is their defense broken? Are they over-reliant on DeRozan? Can they adjust before the playoffs? For Miami, the answer is clear: they’re a legitimate title contender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Miami Heat manage to cover such a large spread as underdogs?
The Heat covered the +2.5 spread by winning by 36 points — the largest margin of victory in an NBA Cup game this season. Their offensive explosion, led by Tyler Herro’s 34 points and Bam Adebayo’s 28-point double-double, overwhelmed Chicago’s defense, which had been ranked among the league’s top 12. The Bulls’ lack of perimeter defense and poor transition play allowed Miami to score 54 consecutive points in one stretch, turning a close game into a blowout.
Why did the betting line shift so dramatically from Heat favorites to Bulls favorites?
The line shifted due to heavy public betting on the Bulls, fueled by their recent 3-1 record against Miami in 2025 and home-court advantage at United Center. Sharp bettors, however, noticed Miami’s improved ball movement and defensive adjustments over the past two weeks. Late money flowed to the Heat, causing the line to tighten — but not enough to deter the public. The final result exposed the gap between public perception and actual team form.
Did the under hit because of poor shooting or defensive pressure?
Actually, it was the opposite. The under hit because the total was set too high — 250.5 by some books — despite Miami’s 143 points and Chicago’s 107 combining for exactly 250. The Heat’s efficiency (52% FG, 41% from three) and the Bulls’ late-game fatigue meant fewer possessions than expected. The game slowed in the fourth quarter as Chicago’s bench collapsed, and Miami’s starters sat early, reducing scoring opportunities. It wasn’t defense — it was pace and timing.
What does this loss mean for the Chicago Bulls’ playoff chances?
The loss drops the Bulls to 8-7 and puts them in danger of missing the NBA Cup knockout round. They now need to win two of their final three group games, including a tough road matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Their defense has regressed since November, and DeRozan’s scoring efficiency has dropped 12% since mid-November. Without a major turnaround, their postseason hopes — already slim — could vanish before the regular season ends.
Is this performance a sign the Miami Heat are serious title contenders?
Absolutely. With a 10-6 record and the league’s top offensive rating over the last 10 games, Miami now has the third-best net rating in the Eastern Conference. Their depth, ball movement, and clutch shooting have improved dramatically since October. If they maintain this pace, they’re not just a contender — they’re the team to beat in the Cup. The Bulls’ collapse didn’t make them look good — it revealed Miami’s true potential.
