When Tyler Herro stepped onto the floor at the United Center on Wednesday night, April 16, 2025, he didn’t just want to win—he wanted to send a message. And he did, dropping 38 points on 13-of-19 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep, to lead the Miami Heat to a commanding 109-90 win over the Chicago Bulls. It wasn’t just a victory. It was revenge. Redemption. And for the third year in a row, the Heat erased the Bulls from postseason contention in the NBA Play-In TournamentChicago.
First Half Domination: A Statement from the Start
The Heat didn’t ease into this game—they attacked it. Miami opened with a 39-28 first quarter, then blew the doors off in the second, outscoring Chicago 32-19 to take a 71-47 halftime lead. Herro was unstoppable, scoring 23 points in the first half alone, making his first eight shots. No hesitation. No misses. Just pure, cold-blooded efficiency. By the time the buzzer sounded on the half, the Bulls looked stunned, like they’d been outcoached, outplayed, and outclassed.
That’s the thing about Erik Spoelstra—he doesn’t just adjust. He anticipates. And when the Bulls swept the Heat in all three regular-season matchups, Spoelstra didn’t shrug. He studied. He schemed. And on this night, he turned the tables with a defensive masterclass. Chicago, who averaged 114 points per game during the season, was held to just 47 in the first half. Coby White, who had been red-hot in March, went 5-for-20 from the field. He looked lost. And it wasn’t just him.
Defensive Discipline vs. Offensive Struggles
The Bulls came in with hope. Josh Giddey had been playing like an All-Star, and Nikola Vucevic was still a force in the paint. But Miami’s defense—ranked ninth in the league during the regular season—turned into a wall. The Heat forced 15 turnovers. They blocked seven shots. They contested every three-pointer. And when White or Billy Donovan’s other guards tried to force shots, they were met with a hand in the face.
Meanwhile, the Heat’s offense flowed like a well-oiled machine. Bam Adebayo added a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the interior and setting screens that freed Herro for open looks. The Heat’s bench, often criticized in the regular season, contributed 28 points, led by Duncan Robinson’s four threes. This wasn’t a one-man show. It was a team execution.
History Repeats: The Spoelstra-Bulls Pattern
It’s become a pattern so predictable it’s almost poetic. Every year since 2023, the Bulls enter the Play-In Tournament with momentum. Every year, they’re a game away from the playoffs. And every year, they run into the Heat—and crumble.
"Erik Spoelstra has embarrassed the Bulls in three straight Play-In Tournaments," wrote Bleacher Nation last week. And it’s true. The Bulls lost by 12 in 2023, by 18 in 2024, and now by 19. Each time, Miami’s composure, experience, and playoff-tested poise have overwhelmed Chicago’s youth and inconsistency.
There’s a quiet frustration in Chicago’s locker room. They’ve built around Giddey and Vucevic, invested in development, hired Billy Donovan for his playoff pedigree. But when the lights shine brightest, they still look like a team that hasn’t learned how to win when it matters most.
What’s Next: Heat vs. Hawks for the Eighth Seed
With the win, the Heat advance to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, April 18, 2025. Atlanta, who finished the regular season 9-7, beat the Charlotte Hornets in their Play-In opener. The winner of that game earns the eighth seed and will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
For Miami, this isn’t just about survival. It’s about proving they belong among the East’s elite. They’ve been a playoff team since 2020, but last year’s early exit to the Boston Celtics left a bitter taste. This year, with Herro playing like an All-NBA candidate and Adebayo anchoring the defense, they’re looking like a legitimate threat.
Behind the Numbers: Why This Game Mattered
- Herro’s 38 points were the highest scoring output in a Play-In game since 2021.
- The Heat’s 71 first-half points were the most allowed by the Bulls in any half this season.
- Miami improved to 10-6 in the final stretch of the regular season, outscoring opponents by 7.8 points per 100 possessions.
- The Bulls’ 90 points were their lowest output in a game since January 14.
- Herro’s 68.4% field goal shooting was the best efficiency ever by a player with 35+ points in a Play-In game.
And here’s the twist: Miami was swept by Chicago in the regular season. Three losses. Three blowouts. But none of that mattered on April 16. Because in the NBA, playoff basketball is a different game. And the Heat? They know how to turn up the intensity when it counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Tyler Herro manage such a high-efficiency game after being swept by the Bulls in the regular season?
Herro adjusted his approach by focusing on mid-range pull-ups and driving lanes rather than forcing threes, which he’d struggled with in earlier matchups. He also benefited from Miami’s improved ball movement and screen-setting, which created cleaner looks. His 68.4% shooting was the result of patience and execution—not luck.
Why has Erik Spoelstra consistently outcoached Billy Donovan in the Play-In Tournament?
Spoelstra’s experience in high-pressure games—seven NBA Finals appearances as a coach—gives him an edge in in-game adjustments. He prioritizes defensive rotations and spacing, while Donovan’s system relies more on isolation plays, which Miami’s defenders shut down. Spoelstra also trusts his veterans to make plays, while Chicago’s young core still lacks playoff poise.
What does this loss mean for the Chicago Bulls’ future?
The loss exposes a troubling gap between regular-season performance and playoff readiness. With Giddey and Vucevic under contract, the Bulls may look to trade for a true star or draft a high-upside guard. But without a cultural shift in clutch moments, they’ll keep losing in the Play-In. The clock is ticking on their rebuild.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work, and why does it matter?
The Play-In Tournament, introduced in 2021, gives teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference a shot at the final two playoff spots. The 7th and 8th seeds play each other; the winner gets the 7-seed. The loser plays the winner of the 9th vs. 10th game for the 8-seed. It adds drama, increases revenue, and gives teams like Miami a second chance to prove they belong.
Where will the Heat play their next game, and who’s favored?
The Heat will face the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Friday, April 18, 2025. While Atlanta had a slightly better regular-season record (9-7 vs. Miami’s 10-6), Miami’s recent form, defensive intensity, and Herro’s hot hand make them slight favorites. Betting markets have Miami as a 2.5-point favorite.
Is this the beginning of a new Heat dynasty, or just a fluke run?
It’s not a dynasty yet—but it’s a resurgence. With Herro, Adebayo, and a strong coaching staff, Miami has built a sustainable core. They’re not the Celtics or Bucks, but they’re becoming the team no one wants to face in April. Their depth, discipline, and playoff experience make them dangerous. If they beat Atlanta and then challenge Cleveland, this could be the start of something real.
