The Miami Heat didn’t just win their playoff spot — they announced their arrival with a statement. On Friday, April 14, 2023, at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida, the Heat crushed the Chicago Bulls 102-91 in a must-win Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament Miami, securing the final berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The fourth quarter? A 35-point explosion. The Bulls? Outscored by 12 points in the final 12 minutes. It wasn’t pretty for Chicago. It was perfect for Miami.
A Night of Two Stars — And One Record
Jimmy Butler, the five-time NBA All-Star whose clutch gene runs deeper than the Miami heat index, dropped 31 points, five rebounds, and three assists. But he wasn’t the only one stealing the show. Max Strus, the unheralded small forward who spent last offseason working out in empty gyms, tied the Play-In record with seven three-pointers — 7-of-13 from deep — also finishing with 31 points. That’s right: two Heat players, both scoring 31. No one else on the team hit double digits. It was a two-man symphony, and the Bulls had no answer.
Strus’s shooting wasn’t just timely — it was historic. The previous Play-In record for threes in a single game was six. He matched it. Then he made the next one count. With 3:12 left and Miami up by four, he buried a step-back from the corner that sent the arena into a frenzy. The shot didn’t just extend the lead — it broke the Bulls’ spirit.
The Bulls’ Desperate Fight
DeMar DeRozan, the four-time All-Star and emotional engine of Chicago, fought like a man who knew this might be his last shot at the postseason. He finished with 26 points, four rebounds, and nine assists — his usual blend of mid-range artistry and playmaking. But even he couldn’t will his team past Miami’s defensive grit. The Bulls, who entered the game at 40-42, had no depth to match Miami’s playoff-tested rotation. Zach LaVine, their leading scorer in the regular season, went 6-of-19 from the field. Nikola Vučević, their rebounding anchor, was held to just 10 points. The supporting cast vanished.
It was a familiar story for Chicago. For the second straight year, they made the Play-In Tournament — and got eliminated. No playoff series. No momentum. Just another offseason of questions.
Why This Matters: The Heat’s Resurrection
This win wasn’t just about advancing. It was about redemption. The Heat hadn’t made the playoffs since the 2021-2022 season. They were written off after losing Bam Adebayo to injury mid-season. They were 10th in the East in late March. Then came a five-game winning streak, capped by this performance. Pat Riley, the Heat’s president, didn’t make a single trade deadline move. He trusted his culture. And it paid off.
The Heat’s offensive rating of 114.1 ranked 20th in the NBA. Their defense? 18th. But in the clutch? They turned into a different team. Their three-point percentage — 36.7% for the season — jumped to 45% in the fourth quarter against Chicago. That’s not luck. That’s execution under pressure.
What’s Next: Heat vs. Bucks — A David vs. Goliath Matchup
Now, Miami faces the Milwaukee Bucks, the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed with a 58-24 record. Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off a 32-point, 14-rebound game in his final regular-season outing. The Bucks swept the season series against Miami 3-0. The odds? Overwhelmingly against the Heat.
But here’s the twist: Miami has won playoff series as the No. 8 seed before. In 2023, they did it — and made the NBA Finals. This team thrives on being underestimated. And now, they’ve got a second chance to do it again.
History Between the Rivals
The Heat and Bulls have played 132 regular-season games since their first meeting in 1988. Chicago leads the all-time series 68-64. But playoff history? That’s Miami’s territory. The Heat beat the Bulls in the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals on their way to the Finals. In 2013, they eliminated them in the first round. The Bulls haven’t beaten Miami in the postseason since 1997 — when Michael Jordan was still in his prime.
Friday’s game was the first playoff meeting between the franchises since 2013. And it ended with Miami advancing — and Chicago left wondering what went wrong.
For Miami, it’s not just about the next game. It’s about proving they’re still a force. For Chicago? It’s about rebuilding — again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Max Strus manage to tie the Play-In record with seven three-pointers?
Strus thrived off Miami’s ball movement and defensive attention drawn by Jimmy Butler. The Heat ran multiple screens to free him in the corners and wings, and he shot with confidence — going 7-of-13 from deep. His record-tying performance was the first by a Heat player in a Play-In game and the most threes by any player in a single Play-In game since the format began in 2021.
Why did the Chicago Bulls fail to advance despite DeMar DeRozan’s strong performance?
DeRozan carried the offense, but Chicago’s supporting cast collapsed. Zach LaVine shot 31.6% from the field, and Nikola Vučević was held to 10 points — well below his season average. Miami’s defense locked in on the second and third options, forcing Chicago into low-percentage shots. The Bulls also turned the ball over 15 times, many in critical fourth-quarter moments.
What’s the significance of the Heat advancing as the No. 8 seed?
Only two teams in NBA history have reached the Finals as the No. 8 seed: the 1999 Knicks and the 2023 Heat themselves. Miami’s 2023 run was historic, and they’re the only team to make the Finals as an 8-seed since the Play-In format began. This year, they’ve shown they can win with defense, resilience, and timely shooting — all traits that could trouble the Bucks.
When and where will Game 1 between the Heat and Bucks take place?
Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 16, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT. The Bucks have home-court advantage and are 32-9 at home this season, making it a tough road test for Miami.
How does this loss affect the Chicago Bulls’ future?
Chicago’s failure to advance for the second straight year signals a need for major roster changes. DeRozan is 33, LaVine is a free agent next summer, and the team lacks young talent to build around. Front office executive Artūras Karnišovas may need to pivot toward rebuilding, possibly trading veterans for draft picks. The Play-In losses have become a pattern — and it’s no longer sustainable.
What role did the referees play in the outcome of the game?
Referees Eric Lewis, John Goble, and Brent Barnaky called 32 total fouls — 17 on the Bulls and 15 on the Heat. Miami drew more free throws (28 attempts vs. 18 for Chicago), and their ability to draw contact in the paint — especially from Butler — gave them critical late-game points. While no controversial calls altered the outcome, Miami’s physicality in the fourth quarter was rewarded by the whistle — a key factor in their 35-point surge.
