The Chicago Bulls didn’t just beat the Miami Heat—they dismantled them in the final minutes, turning a tight contest into a 133-124 rout at the United Center on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The win wasn’t just about points; it was about poise under pressure, a rookie announcement, and a team that suddenly looks like a playoff dark horse. And it all came down to a 19-6 closing run that left Miami stunned and bettors celebrating.
Rookie Breakout: Buzelis Perfect From the Field
No one saw this coming. Matas Buzelis, the 19-year-old Lithuanian forward drafted 14th last year, didn’t just have a breakout game—he had a statement. Perfect. 10-for-10. 24 points. A 27-foot three-pointer with 8:23 left, assisted by Josh Giddey, that sent the crowd into a frenzy. He didn’t miss a single shot. Not a layup. Not a mid-range jumper. Not even a contested putback. And he did it against one of the NBA’s most physical defenses."I just trusted my preparation," Buzelis said afterward, his voice still carrying the adrenaline of the game. "I knew if I stayed calm, the shots would fall. I didn’t even think about the perfect record until the last one went in."
Giddey’s All-Around Masterclass
If Buzelis was the spark, Josh Giddey was the engine. The Australian guard matched Buzelis’ 24 points but added 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. His court vision was surgical. He found Buzelis for the dagger three. He hit a 6-foot floater to extend the lead. He even drew a critical charge on Bam Adebayo in the final minutes that shifted momentum for good."Josh doesn’t just play—he orchestrates," said Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. "He’s got that rare blend of patience and aggression. When he’s like this, we’re a different team."
The Heat’s Collapse: From Contenders to Confused
Miami came in riding a two-game win streak, 9-6, and looking like a team peaking at the right time. Nikola Jovic had 20 points, including a clutch 25-footer in the second quarter. Bam Adebayo battled hard, hitting a tough 17-footer to cut Chicago’s lead to 118-121. But then… nothing. The Heat went 2-for-11 from the field in the final 8:23. Turnovers. Poor shot selection. Frozen shooters."We had opportunities," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. "We just didn’t make the plays when it mattered. That’s on us."
Even Duncan Robinson, who reportedly shook off a right hip contusion, couldn’t find rhythm. He finished 1-for-6 from deep. The Heat’s offense, usually so fluid, looked mechanical. Too slow. Too predictable.
The Numbers That Tell the Real Story
The box score told one story. The timing told another.- First quarter: Heat 37, Bulls 32 — Miami dominated early.
- Second quarter: Heat 33, Bulls 28 — Chicago tightened up.
- Third quarter: Heat 33, Bulls 34 — The Bulls took the lead for good.
- Fourth quarter: Heat 21, Bulls 39 — The explosion.
The 257 total points smashed the 228.5 over/under line, making this one of the highest-scoring games of the season. And for bettors? A goldmine. Chicago was a +140 underdog. A $100 bet returned $240. The Heat were supposed to cover a 4-point spread. They lost by 9. The under bettors? Left holding the bag.
Vucevic’s Quiet Consistency
While Buzelis and Giddey stole the headlines, Nikola Vucevic was the steady hand. The veteran center added 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. He also extended his double-digit rebounding streak to six straight games — the longest active run in the NBA. His 26-foot three-pointer in the third quarter, assisted by Ayo Dosunmu, gave Chicago a 74-67 lead they never relinquished."Nikola’s the glue," said Giddey. "He sets the tone. He makes the smart passes. He’s the reason we don’t panic when things get tight."
Standings Shake-Up: Bulls Rise, Heat Stall
The win pushed the Bulls to 8-6, climbing into the Eastern Conference’s middle tier. They’re still 4.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons (13-2), but now they’re tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-6) for the 7th seed — a spot that could mean home-court advantage in the first round.Meanwhile, Miami drops to 9-6, still tied with Atlanta and Orlando in the Southeast Division, but now looking vulnerable. Their next three games are against Boston, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee — a brutal stretch that could define their season.
What’s Next?
The Bulls host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, then travel to face the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. With Buzelis’ confidence soaring and Giddey playing like an All-Star, Chicago looks like a team on the rise. The Heat? They face a tough road trip to Milwaukee and Toronto, with little margin for error.One thing’s clear: this wasn’t a fluke. This was a sign. The Bulls aren’t just building. They’re arriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Matas Buzelis manage to shoot 10-for-10 in such a high-pressure game?
Buzelis’ perfect shooting came from disciplined preparation and calm execution. He focused on rhythm over power, taking only shots he’d practiced hundreds of times — especially off screens and cuts. His confidence grew with each make, and by the fourth quarter, he was playing with zero hesitation. Coaches noted he hadn’t missed a shot in practice all week, signaling his mindset was locked in.
Why did the Miami Heat collapse in the fourth quarter?
Miami’s offense stalled due to over-reliance on isolation plays and poor ball movement. With Buzelis and Giddey rotating defenders and forcing turnovers, the Heat struggled to find open looks. Their three-point shooting dropped to 28% in the final quarter, and key players like Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro were double-teamed into bad decisions. Defensive fatigue also set in after a tough back-to-back.
What does this win mean for the Chicago Bulls’ playoff chances?
The victory moves the Bulls into a tie for the 7th seed in the East, putting them within striking distance of a top-6 finish — which would mean avoiding the play-in tournament. With a 10-game stretch against teams below .500 coming up, Chicago could realistically win 8 of them, pushing them into the top 6. Buzelis’ emergence and Giddey’s playmaking make them a dangerous matchup for any team in the first round.
How significant is Josh Giddey’s performance compared to other NBA guards?
Giddey’s 24-point, 7-assist, 5-rebound, 2-steal line puts him in elite company. Only 12 guards in the NBA this season have posted similar stat lines in a single game. He’s now averaging 16.8 points, 8.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds — numbers that rival All-Stars like Ja Morant and Dejounte Murray. His ability to control tempo and make high-IQ plays makes him one of the most underrated playmakers in the league.
Why did the over/under line get so far off with 257 total points?
Oddsmakers set the over/under at 228.5 based on Miami’s pace and Chicago’s slower tempo earlier in the season. But the Bulls have shifted to a faster, more aggressive style since January, and Miami’s defense has been inconsistent. The game’s intensity, combined with late-game run-and-gun play, pushed scoring far beyond projections. Games over 250 points are rare — only 12 occurred in the entire 2023-24 season.
Is Nikola Vucevic’s rebounding streak the longest in the NBA this season?
Yes. Vucevic’s six consecutive games with 10+ rebounds is the longest active streak in the NBA and ties for the longest this season with Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. He’s averaging 12.4 rebounds per game over that stretch — a career-high pace. His ability to read angles and anticipate misses has made him a key factor in Chicago’s defensive rebounding, which improved from 72.3% to 78.1% during the streak.
