The Miami Heat secured the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs by defeating the Chicago Bulls 112-91 in a play-in tournament elimination game. Tyler Herro led the charge with 24 points, coming just an assist short of a triple-double, while rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. contributed 21 points to the victory. Miami’s win sets up a challenging Round 1 matchup against the Boston Celtics, marking a rematch of the last two Eastern Conference finals, where the Heat emerged victorious.
Despite missing key players like Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier due to injuries, Miami dominated the Bulls from the outset. A 19-0 run in the first quarter and a 14-0 run in the second half solidified their control over the game, effectively eliminating any doubts about the outcome. Herro’s near triple-double performance, combined with strong contributions from Kevin Love and Bam Adebayo, propelled the Heat to victory for the second consecutive year in the last East play-in game.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 22 points, supported by Nikola Vucevic’s double-double effort of 16 points and 14 rebounds. Despite their efforts, Chicago fell short in their bid to make the playoffs after a challenging season. The Bulls were aiming to become only the fifth team in the last 35 years to secure a playoff berth after spending no time over .500 throughout the season.
Miami’s victory was fueled by impressive offensive bursts, including the pivotal 19-0 run in the first quarter that established a significant lead. Despite both teams experiencing cold shooting stretches, with Chicago missing 14 of 15 shots at one point, the Heat’s decisive runs ensured they maintained control of the game. Heading into halftime with a 47-37 lead, Miami capitalized on Chicago’s offensive struggles to secure their position as the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
The upcoming matchup against the Boston Celtics presents a formidable challenge for the Heat. The Celtics, who finished the regular season with an NBA-best 64 wins, are determined to avenge their loss in last year’s Eastern Conference finals to Miami. As underdogs, the Heat face a tough road ahead as they seek to replicate their previous season’s success and make another deep playoff run.
