The Miami Heat will take on the Chicago Bulls in yet another Play-In game. This will be the third meeting between the two teams in the Play-In.
The two clubs first met in the 2023 Play-In, where the Heat won 102-91. In the game, Jimmy Butler and Max Strus, who both scored 31 points, led the Heat.
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The following year, the two teams met again, and the result was similar. Miami won 112-91 thanks to 24 points from Tyler Herro. It should be noted both Butler and Zach LaVine did not play for their respective teams because of injuries.
This time around, both teams look different from the previous Play-In games. Bulter is gone from the Heat and both LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are no longer members of the Bulls.
This season, the Bulls finished with a 39-43 record. Chicago finished the season strong, winning 15 out of their last 20 games. Miami, on the other hand, had an up and down finish to the season.
The Heat lost 10 straight games in March, but then turned things around, winning eight of their last 12 games to finish the season. So, which team has the advantage?
Heat vs. Bulls: Season series
The Heat played the Bulls three times during the season and it was all Chicago. The first game was on February 4, 2025, in Chicago. This was a high-scoring game with the Bulls coming out on top, winning 133-124.
Chicago had strong guard play in the game with Josh Giddey (24 points) Coby White (22 points) and Ayo Dosunmu (21 points) leading the way. This game was an early sign of what the Bulls would become by the end of the season.
The next matchup wasn’t until March and it was played in Miami. Chicago got the upper-hand again winning 114-109, thanks to a 26 point, 10 rebound, and 10 assist triple-double from Giddey.
The final matchup occurred just a few days ago on April 9, in Chicago. The Bulls emerged victorious again, this time by a score of 119-111. Once again, the Bulls were led by Giddey.
The Australian guard recorded another triple-double with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. So, which team has the advantage?
It appears the Bulls are the favorites, as they won the season series 3-0. Ultimately, Giddey may be the x-factor, giving the Bulls the edge in this year’s Play-In matchup.
