The Bulls are focused on achieving a clean sweep of the season as they head into the play-in against the Heat.
The Bulls achieved a significant accomplishment by sweeping Miami for the first time since the 2010-11 season. They won all three games, including two in Miami Heat, which marks a stark contrast to their previous record of losing 18 of the last 23 games against Miami heat before this season. Although this is not officially a playoff series, it is still a postseason elimination game.The teams have faced each other seven times in the playoffs. The last time they met in the playoffs was in 2013, where Miami won 4-1 in the conference semifinals. Miami also won 4-1 in 2011, while in 2007, the Bulls made history by sweeping the defending champion Heat in the first round. Miami Heat won 4-2 in the previous season’s first round, which led to the Heat winning the title. In the Chicago Bulls’ championship seasons of 1996 and 1997, they swept Miami Heat 3-0 in the 1996 first round and won 4-1 in the 1997 conference finals. Here’s a breakdown of how this season’s games went:
October, 19. Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls win 116-108.
The Chicago Bulls, who had been swept the previous season and lost eight of nine games to the Miami Heat, surprised everyone with a 116-108 victory in the absence of Zach LaVine, who was recovering from knee surgery. This win proved to be a sign of things to come for the Chicago Bulls in the 2022-23 season. DeMar DeRozan led the charge with 37 points, nine assists, six rebounds, two steals, and a block. Miami’s Heat Big Three of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry struggled, while Ayo Dosunmu, starting in place of LaVine or Lonzo Ball, dominated Lowry with 17 points. Nikola Vučević contributed 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Goran Dragić, a former Miami Heat player, made four three-pointers.DeRozan, confident in his team’s abilities, brushed off any criticism from so-called experts. He stressed the importance of not getting caught up in what others say and focusing on what it takes to win against good teams. The Chicago Bulls had learned from their mistakes from the previous season, where they went 2-21 against the top four teams from each conference. The team emphasized the importance of IQ, grit, attention to detail, and playing smart in training camp. They executed this plan perfectly in the game against the Heat.
DeRozan praised his team’s ability to stay focused and not let mistakes affect their performance. They did not lose their cool when Heat made a run in the fourth quarter and instead made big plays when it mattered. The Bulls had 12 steals and capitalized on 17 points off Heat turnovers. Even Joakim Noah, a former Bulls player, watched in the stands.
In conclusion, the Chicago Bulls’ surprising victory against the Heat set the tone for their successful 2022-23 season. DeRozan’s leadership and the team’s dedication to playing smart and executing their game plan paid off in the end.
December 20. Chicago Bulls win 113-103 in Miami heat.
The game between the Bulls and Miami Heat was crucial for the former, especially after their humiliating loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, conceding 150 points. With rumors of a locker room controversy involving Zach LaVine, the Chicago Bulls were in the national media’s spotlight for potentially having a team meltdown. However, LaVine showed up with 11 first-quarter points, leading the team to victory with 21 points and seven assists. Vučević scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while DeRozan contributed 24 points. Miami Heat’s Butler and Lowry didn’t play, giving the Bulls an advantage. After the game, Vučević expressed the team’s relief in getting a win after the terrible loss in Minnesota. The Bulls played with more heart and competitiveness and hoped to learn from this experience to start playing more consistently. DeRozan compared the team’s situation to a work in progress, where one faces good and bad times, and the latter helps to improve the relationship.
Although Miami Heat Bam Adebayo had an impressive performance with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, the Bulls played better, chasing Miami into 15-of-44 on threes and taking advantage of Miami’s turnovers. The Bulls out-rebounded Miami and shot more efficiently on threes, securing a much-needed win.
March 18. Chicago Bulls in Bulls win 113-99.
In the game against the Heat, the Chicago Bulls had a big advantage thanks to Patrick Beverley impressive performance. The home crowd was cheering him on as he made three consecutive three-pointers and four out of six possessions, scoring 14 points in the second quarter. Despite the presence of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo on the Miami Heat side, they were never really in the game until Beverly’s performance brought them back in the closing stages. The Bulls had won two double overtime games before this game. Patrick Beverly, known as a defensive player, surprised everyone with his shooting skills, which he believes people underestimate. He has a 38% career three-point shooting average, but people still leave him open. He does not mind that and always tries to make the right play. In this game, the Miami Heat did a series of traps and double teams on DeRozan and Zach LaVine, leaving Patrick Beverly available to make some great shots.
DeRozan led the Chicago Bulls with 24 points, followed by Zach LaVine with 18, Patrick Beverly with 17, and Vučević with 13. Coby White also had a good performance, scoring 18 points and hitting four out of eight three-pointers off the bench. Although Miami had a 19-5 edge in second-chance points, the Bulls had eight steals and scored 22 points off Miami turnovers. The Bulls also had 34 assists, with DeRozan leading the way with 10.