Play-In Tournament Recap: Miami Heat Dominate Chicago Bulls

This is the third straight season the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls will battle it out in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Bulls went undefeated against the Heat this season, but the Heat won the last two NBA Play-In Tournament games. The winner of this game will move on to play the Hawks in the final stage of the NBA Play-In Tournament to decide the 8th and final seed of the Eastern Conference. Let’s dive in to see who wins.

1st Half Recap Of NBA Play-In Tournament 

The first quarter of the NBA Play-In Tournament was dominated by the Heat. It would be 36-21 when Tyler Herro hit a stepback three with only 1:30 to go in quarter 1. Herro had 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field in the first quarter. The second quarter was no different for the Heat and Herro as well. Herro was 8-of-8 from the field with 23 points in the first half.

The Heat as a team had 22 assists while shooting 57.4% from the field. The Heat controlled the first half from start to finish. If the Bulls did not want to go home, they would have to lift their game. It was a 71-47 lead at the half. Would the Heat continue to dominate or would the Bulls step up to challenge the Heat?

2nd Half

The third quarter started and the Bulls started to show signs of life. The Bulls would go on a short run to get the crowd back in it, but could not get the lead down. The Bulls were playing with a different intensity than they were in the first half. Josh Giddey had 18 points with less than two minutes to left in the third quarter. Miami led 84-67. Herro had 31 points through three quarters. The fourth quarter was the same as the rest of the game. It was dominated by the Heat. Herro finished with 38 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds. The final score was 109-90.

Final Thoughts

The Heat will play the Hawks Friday night for the 8th seed and the right to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. If Herro and the Heat continue to play defense at the level they are playing at now, I see them in a 7-game series against the Cavs. Stay tuned to Total Apex for all the NBA Playoff news.