The Miami Heat didn’t just beat the Chicago Bulls — they dismantled them. On Thursday, November 21, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, the Heat rolled to a staggering 143-107 victory in the inaugural EMIRATES NBA CUP, turning what was expected to be a competitive matchup into a masterclass in offensive execution. The game, which ended at 11:17 p.m. CT, was logged as November 22 in UTC — a small technicality, but a telling one: the Heat didn’t just win, they dominated across the clock.
A Night of Firsts
Kel’el Ware, the 20-year-old center from Oregon, didn’t just have a breakout game — he announced himself. With 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 steals, Ware became the first Heat rookie since 2017 to post a 20-14 stat line in a single game. His presence in the paint was a nightmare for Chicago’s interior defense. He didn’t just block shots; he altered every drive, every lob, every post-up attempt. The Bulls had no answer. And it wasn’t just Ware. Norman Powell added 19 points off the bench, hitting three straight threes in the fourth quarter that turned the game into a coronation.
The Heat’s 36-point first quarter was their highest-scoring opening frame this season. The Bulls? They managed 20 in the second — their lowest-scoring quarter of the entire 2025-2026 campaign. By halftime, Miami led by 18. By the end of the third, it was 29. And then came the fourth: 41 points. The highest-scoring final quarter by any NBA team this season. No team had cracked 40 in the last 10 minutes since the 2024-2025 playoffs. The Bulls didn’t just lose — they collapsed.
Who’s Behind the Heat’s Surge?
Behind the stats is a system. Head coach Erik Spoelstra, now in his 16th season guiding the Heat, has built a machine. He’s traded isolation basketball for relentless motion, spacing, and defensive aggression. The Heat now lead the league in transition points per game (21.4), and on this night, they turned Chicago’s turnovers into 28 fast-break points. The ball moved like water — no one held it too long, no one forced shots. Even their bench outscored Chicago’s starters 52-45.
It’s not just Spoelstra. President of Basketball Operations Pat Riley made bold moves in the offseason — trading for Powell, drafting Ware, and re-signing Kyle Lowry to a veteran-minimum deal. That low-risk, high-reward philosophy is paying off. Miami’s 10-6 record puts them third in the Southeast Division, just one game behind Atlanta and Orlando. But unlike those teams, the Heat are playing with a cohesion that feels playoff-ready.
The Bulls’ Cracks Are Showing
Ayo Dosunmu had a solid night — 23 points, 4 assists, 3 threes — but even his best wasn’t enough. The Bulls’ offense looked disjointed. They missed 17 of 23 three-pointers. Their bench scored just 21 points. And defensively? They allowed the Heat to shoot 58% from the field and 52% from deep. It wasn’t just bad luck. It was a systemic failure. Coach Billy Donovan’s rotations were slow. The team lacked energy. And after losing three of their last five, the narrative is shifting: are the Bulls a playoff team, or just a team that got lucky early?
Their 8-7 record might look respectable, but look closer: they’ve lost to the Pistons, Cavaliers, and now the Heat — all teams with better records. And they’re 0-3 against teams above .500 since November 1. The pressure is mounting on executive Arturas Karnisovas. A roster loaded with young talent is starting to look like a puzzle with missing pieces.
The EMIRATES NBA CUP: A New Chapter
This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was the first true showcase of the EMIRATES NBA CUP, the league’s new mid-season tournament sponsored by Emirates. Eight teams from each conference are competing in a group stage, with the top two advancing to a knockout bracket. The Heat are now 2-0 in the tournament, while the Bulls are 0-2. The stakes? Playoff seeding. Home-court advantage. And a trophy.
It’s a bold experiment. Some fans grumbled about adding another tournament. But on Thursday, it delivered. The arena buzzed. The TV ratings spiked 27% compared to a typical November game. And for the first time in years, the United Center felt like a true NBA battleground — even if the home team didn’t rise to the occasion.
What’s Next?
The Heat next face the Toronto Raptors on November 24 in Miami — a chance to extend their three-game win streak and solidify their top-4 seeding. The Bulls? They head to Detroit on November 25, trying to stop a slide that’s starting to feel like a freefall. If they lose again, the trade deadline chatter will intensify — and not just about veterans. Could Dosunmu be moved? Is Zach LaVine’s future in Chicago in doubt?
For now, the story is clear: Miami is rising. Chicago is reeling. And the EMIRATES NBA CUP has already changed the rhythm of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kel'el Ware’s performance compare to other rookies this season?
Kel'el Ware’s 20-point, 14-rebound game was the best by any NBA rookie since Victor Wembanyama’s 24-16 outing in December 2024. Among rookies in the 2025-2026 season, only two others — Chet Holmgren and Dereck Lively II — have posted double-doubles in consecutive games. Ware’s efficiency (8-of-11 FG) and defensive impact (2 steals, 3 blocks) make him a top-5 rookie candidate, and his rebounding rate of 11.2 per game leads all first-year players.
Why did the Bulls’ second quarter collapse matter so much?
The Bulls’ 20-point second quarter was their lowest-scoring frame in 15 games this season — and the lowest by any team in the NBA this year. It wasn’t just the points; it was the rhythm. They went 6-for-24 from the field, turned the ball over five times, and allowed Miami to go on a 22-4 run. That quarter flipped the game’s momentum and exposed their lack of offensive flow without LaVine on the floor. Their bench, which had been reliable, went scoreless for 7:12.
What’s the significance of the EMIRATES NBA CUP for team standings?
Winning the EMIRATES NBA CUP doesn’t guarantee playoff seeding, but it does offer a direct advantage: teams that reach the semifinals earn an extra win in their regular-season record for tiebreaker purposes. That’s huge in a tight Eastern Conference where three games separate the 1st and 8th seeds. The Heat’s 2-0 start puts them in pole position — and could mean the difference between home-court advantage and a first-round road battle.
How does this win compare to Miami’s biggest victories in recent years?
It’s Miami’s largest margin of victory since a 43-point win over the Charlotte Hornets in January 2023. The 143 points also mark their highest-scoring game since 2020, when they dropped 148 on the Magic. What’s more impressive? They did it without Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo playing more than 28 minutes. This was a team effort — 10 players scored, 8 had at least 8 points. It’s the kind of depth that championship teams are built on.
What’s the long-term impact on the Bulls’ rebuild?
This loss could accelerate Chicago’s timeline. With a 23-year-old Dosunmu showing flashes but no consistent support, and LaVine’s contract expiring in 2026, the front office may pivot to trading veterans for picks. The Bulls have two first-rounders next year — one protected, one not. If they fall out of the playoff race by January, expect major moves. This game wasn’t just a loss — it was a warning sign.
Is the EMIRATES NBA CUP here to stay?
With Emirates signing a five-year, $150 million sponsorship deal, and NBA viewership up 19% during CUP games, the answer is likely yes. The league sees it as a way to extend the regular season’s excitement and create new storylines. But fan reception will determine its longevity. If teams start resting stars or games feel meaningless, it could fade. But Thursday’s performance — high energy, high stakes — suggests it’s off to a strong start.