Tyler Herro Leads Heat Past Bulls as Miami Advances in Play-In for Third Straight Season

The Heat never trailed, leading by as many as 25 points and building a 71-47 halftime advantage — their largest lead at the break this season.

“We felt we shouldn’t have dropped those three throughout the season,” Herro said, referencing Miami’s 0-3 regular season record against Chicago. “We felt like we’ve won almost every quarter we’ve played against them, except for one or two each game, and then they were able to win at the end.”

Herro’s mix of on- and off-ball scoring proved too much for Chicago to handle. “It was in a lot of different ways,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s making a lot of those plays in between that are unscripted… that requires everybody seizing those moments and developing an IQ to take advantage of his skillset.”

Spoelstra emphasized how seriously the Heat took the matchup after being swept by the Bulls in the regular season.

“Chicago humbled us this year,” he said. “They have a unique style of play, the way they play with that pace, and they score. They had two games where we felt like we were in control of the game both times in the fourth quarter and they came storming back. Our guys really respected how much they could score. To hold that team to 90, it’s not an easy task.”

Chicago Bulls Struggled Offensively at the Worst Time

Chicago’s 90 points marked a season low. Josh Giddey led the Bulls with 25 points on 9-of-21 shooting, but the team as a whole struggled, including Coby White’s 5-of-20 effort and seven turnovers. The bench contributed just 13 points — also a season low.

“They punched us first, and we didn’t respond the way we had to,” Giddey said. “Credit to Miami. They’re well-coached; they’re a good team. We just didn’t come out with the right mentality, the right mindset. And it’s what happens — you lose, your season’s over just like that.”

The Heat will now travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, with the winner securing the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s a familiar path for both teams, who are in the play-in tournament for the third consecutive year.

If Miami advances to the postseason, it would mark their sixth straight playoff appearance, tying a franchise record.

“Job’s not finished,” Herro said. “We knew what our path was. It’s going to take two wins on the road, which we’re capable of. Just got to keep this same focus.”