Tyler Herro erupts for 38 points as Heat eliminate Bulls in Play-In thriller
When Tyler Herro stepped onto the court at the United Center on Wednesday night, April 16, 2025, he wasn’t just playing for a spot in the playoffs—he was settling a score. The 24-year-old Miami Heat guard dropped 38 points on 13-of-19 shooting, torching the Chicago Bulls 109-90 in a performance that felt personal, precise, and painfully overdue. Miami led 71-47 at halftime, turning what had been a bitter regular season rivalry into a one-sided postseason reckoning. This wasn’t just a win. It was payback.
Herro’s Fireworks and the Heat’s Defensive Ice
Herro didn’t just score—he scorched the net. His first eight shots went in. He hit three threes, dished out four assists, and swiped a steal. By the end of the second quarter, he had 23 points, and the Bulls looked lost. But Herro wasn’t alone. Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and nine rebounds, while Bam Adebayo controlled the paint with 15 points and 12 boards. Davion Mitchell orchestrated the offense with nine assists, turning Miami’s transition game into a blur. Meanwhile, the Heat’s defense, ranked ninth in the NBA during the regular season, suffocated Chicago. They held the Bulls to just 16 points in the fourth quarter, forcing 14 turnovers and limiting open looks like they were guarding a locked vault.
The Bulls’ Struggles and a Familiar Pattern
For Chicago, it was déjà vu. Josh Giddey fought hard with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but the rest of the roster vanished. Coby White, who averaged 19.4 points this season, went 5-of-20 from the field. Nikola Vucevic, the 34-year-old veteran, had a double-double, but it wasn’t enough. The Bulls led by six after the first quarter—then collapsed. They scored just 19 in the second. The halftime deficit was the death knell.
And here’s the twist: Chicago had swept all three regular-season games against Miami. They beat them in Miami. They beat them in Chicago. They beat them in overtime. So why did this feel like a different team? Because Miami had changed. Coach Erik Spoelstra, who’s led the Heat since 2008, made adjustments—more switching, tighter closeouts, less reliance on isolation. He knew the Bulls were a physical team. He made them pay for it.
Three Years of Heartbreak for Chicago
This marks the third straight year the Heat have eliminated the Bulls from Play-In contention. In 2023, it was a 103-99 win in overtime. In 2024, Miami won by 14. This year? By 19. The pattern is chilling. The Bulls keep building, keep drafting, keep signing veterans—but every April, they hit the same wall. And it’s wearing a Heat jersey.
The emotional weight isn’t lost on fans. At the United Center, where 20,917 packed in hoping for redemption, the silence after the final buzzer was louder than any cheer. One fan, wearing a 2011 Derrick Rose jersey, stood up slowly, shook his head, and walked out. No words. Just disappointment. Chicago’s record fell to 8-7. Miami’s climbed to 10-6. The standings don’t lie.
Next Stop: Atlanta
Now, the Heat head to Atlanta. On Friday, April 18, 2025, they’ll face the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Atlanta, coming off a 114-108 loss to the Orlando Magic on April 15, sits at 9-7. They’re tired. They’re banged up. And they’re one win away from the playoffs—or one loss away from another long summer.
The winner of that game? They’ll face the Cleveland Cavaliers, the top seed in the East at 11-6. LeBron’s old team, now led by Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, is rested, hungry, and waiting. Miami’s path isn’t easy. But after what they did to Chicago? They’re not afraid.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about seeding. It’s about identity. The Heat, founded in 1988 and owned by Miami HEAT, LLC, have spent years building a culture of resilience. They don’t have the stars of the Nets or the depth of the Celtics. But they have grit. They have Spoelstra’s system. And they have Tyler Herro, who, at 24, is proving he belongs among the league’s elite scorers when it matters most.
For Chicago? It’s another chapter in a frustrating story. They’re young. They’re talented. But they’re still missing something—maybe leadership, maybe poise, maybe that one defining moment when the pressure doesn’t break them. The Play-In isn’t the playoffs. But it’s the closest thing they’ve had in years. And they blew it. Again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Tyler Herro’s performance compare to his previous playoff games?
Herro’s 38-point outing was his highest-scoring game in any postseason since 2022, when he dropped 36 against the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s also his first 30-point game in the Play-In Tournament. His 13-of-19 shooting efficiency (68.4%) is the best of his playoff career, surpassing even his 2023 Finals run against Denver.
Why has Miami consistently beaten Chicago in the Play-In despite losing the regular season series?
Miami’s coaching staff, led by Erik Spoelstra, adapts faster in high-stakes games. They switch defenses, exploit mismatches, and play with more urgency. Chicago, while talented, relies too heavily on individual scoring. In the Play-In, where every possession counts, Miami’s team-oriented approach and defensive discipline consistently outlast the Bulls’ inconsistent execution.
What’s at stake for the Miami Heat in their next game against Atlanta?
Winning Friday’s game gives Miami the No. 8 seed and a date with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Losing means elimination. The Heat have never won a playoff series as the 8-seed, but they’ve made deep runs before—like in 2023, when they pushed Boston to seven games. This could be their best shot at another deep run since Jimmy Butler left.
How does this loss affect the Chicago Bulls’ rebuilding timeline?
The loss pushes Chicago’s rebuild further into uncertainty. With Giddey and White still developing, and Vucevic entering the final year of his contract, the front office may need to pivot. A top-10 draft pick is still possible, but missing the playoffs for the third straight year could hurt their appeal to free agents and make trade demands more urgent.
- Nov, 22 2025
- Xander Whittaker
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Written by Xander Whittaker
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