The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they dismantled them. On Friday, November 21, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, Miami rolled over Chicago 143-107 in a stunning performance at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The game, part of the Emirates NBA Cup, wasn’t just another regular-season contest — it was a statement. With both teams entering 1-1 in the tournament, the winner would own the inside track to the knockout stage. Miami didn’t just take that track — they built a highway.
Fourth Quarter Annihilation
The Heat didn’t need a slow build. They came out sharp, but it was the fourth quarter that turned this into a rout. After trailing by just five points entering the final frame, Miami unleashed a 41-point explosion — the highest single-quarter total of the night. Chicago, meanwhile, managed only 32, their lowest in any quarter. The final 12 minutes felt less like basketball and more like a clinical dissection. The Bulls looked exhausted, confused, and outmatched. Miami’s defense, often criticized for inconsistency, turned into a wall. They forced 18 turnovers, blocked seven shots, and held Chicago to just 39% shooting from the field.Stars Shine in the Absence of Stars
Missing Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Andrew Wiggins, and Terry Rozier, Miami’s depth was tested. And they passed with flying colors. Center Kel'el Ware was the revelation — 20 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals. At 20 years old, he played like a veteran, outmuscling Nikola Vucevic and Matas Buzelis in the paint. His 14 boards were a season-high and the most by a Heat center since Bam Adebayo’s 16-rebound game in March 2024. Guard Norman Powell added 19 points and two steals, hitting three threes and attacking the rim with aggression. His chemistry with Adebayo, who chipped in 16 points and 11 assists, was seamless. Meanwhile, Chicago’s Ayo Dosunmu did everything he could — 23 points, 4 assists, 3 threes — but even his best wasn’t enough. The Bulls were missing Zach Collins and had Tre Jones and Coby White listed as questionable. Their lack of interior depth was glaring.Why This Game Matters Beyond the Score
This wasn’t just about advancing in the Emirates NBA Cup — it was about identity. Miami, once seen as a team built on veteran savvy and Adebayo’s brilliance, now looks like a rising force with young talent stepping up. Ware’s emergence, combined with Powell’s steady scoring and Pelle Larsson’s defensive hustle (14 points, 5 rebounds), suggests a new, more dynamic Heat team is forming. Their 10-6 record puts them atop the Southeast Division, ahead of Atlanta and Orlando. Meanwhile, Chicago’s 8-7 mark, coupled with this loss, drops them to third in the Central Division — behind Detroit and Cleveland — and raises serious questions about their playoff viability. The betting line had favored Chicago by 2.5 points. The over/under was 249.5. Miami blew past both. The final score of 143-107 was the highest-scoring game in the NBA Cup this season and the largest margin of victory for the Heat since their 146-101 win over Atlanta in January 2024.
What’s Next? The Knockout Door Is Open
With this win, Miami controls their fate in Group A. A victory in their next group game — likely against the Orlando Magic — would clinch a spot in the knockout rounds. Chicago, on the other hand, must now win both remaining group games just to stay alive. And with their defense looking disjointed and their bench outscored 52-29 on Friday, that’s a tall order. The Heat’s next game is scheduled for November 24, 2025, against the Orlando Magic at FTX Arena. Chicago faces the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 25. But make no mistake: the narrative has shifted. Miami isn’t just competing anymore. They’re contenders.Background: The Rise of the Emirates NBA Cup
Introduced in 2023, the Emirates NBA Cup is a midseason tournament designed to inject excitement into the regular season. All 30 teams compete in a group stage, with the top two from each of the six groups advancing to a single-elimination bracket. The final is held in Las Vegas. Last year’s winner, the Boston Celtics, used the Cup as a springboard — they went on to win the NBA Championship. This year, Miami’s dominant performance suggests they’re doing the same.
Player Stats Snapshot
- Kel'el Ware (MIA): 20 PTS, 14 REB, 2 STL
- Norman Powell (MIA): 19 PTS, 2 REB, 2 STL, 3 3PT
- Bam Adebayo (MIA): 16 PTS, 11 AST, 8 REB
- Ayo Dosunmu (CHI): 23 PTS, 4 AST, 3 3PT
- Nikola Vucevic (CHI): 15 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kel'el Ware’s performance impact the Miami Heat’s playoff chances?
Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound outing against Chicago signals a major upgrade in Miami’s frontcourt depth. With Bam Adebayo often facing double-teams, Ware’s ability to dominate the paint without fouling gives the Heat a legitimate two-center option — a rarity in today’s pace-and-space league. If he continues this form, Miami could be a top-four seed in the East, especially with their current 10-6 record and three-game win streak.
Why did the Chicago Bulls struggle so badly in the fourth quarter?
Chicago’s defense collapsed under Miami’s ball movement and pick-and-roll pressure. With Zach Collins out and Matas Buzelis struggling to guard Ware, the Bulls had no answer in the paint. Their guards, including Josh Giddey, overplayed the perimeter, leaving the middle wide open. Miami scored 24 points in the paint during the fourth quarter alone — more than Chicago managed in the entire first half.
What’s the significance of the Emirates NBA Cup for teams like Miami and Chicago?
For Miami, winning the Cup could mean momentum, roster confidence, and even home-court advantage in the playoffs — teams that perform well in the Cup often carry that energy into the postseason. For Chicago, it’s a chance to prove they’re not just rebuilding but contending. Their loss makes that harder. Last year’s Cup winner, Boston, went on to win the title — so this isn’t just a tune-up. It’s a test.
How does this result affect the Eastern Conference standings?
Miami’s win pushes them to 10-6, placing them first in the Southeast Division and fourth overall in the East behind Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia. Chicago drops to 8-7, falling behind Cleveland (11-6) and Detroit (13-2) in the Central Division. With only four games left in the group stage, Chicago’s playoff hopes now hinge on winning both remaining games — and hoping for upsets elsewhere.
Is the November 22, 2025 matchup listed by Sofascore a mistake?
Yes. The November 22 game listed by Sofascore at 1:00 AM UTC is almost certainly a data error — it’s just 5 hours after the final buzzer of the November 21 game. No NBA team plays back-to-back games on the same day. The next actual meeting between Miami and Chicago is scheduled for November 24, when the Heat host the Magic, and Chicago travels to face Cleveland.
What’s the historical context of a 143-point game in the NBA?
Only 12 teams have scored 140+ points in a game this decade. Miami’s 143 points is their highest since 2022, and the most by any team this season. The last time they scored this many was against the Phoenix Suns in March 2023 — a game that also ended in a 36-point blowout. This suggests Miami’s offense, once reliant on isolation plays, is now flowing with unselfish ball movement — a sign of real growth.