Giddey's Triple-Double Powers Bulls Past Heat 119-111 in Playoff Push

The Chicago Bulls stunned the Miami Heat 119-111 on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago, thanks to a career-defining performance by 22-year-old Australian guard Josh Giddey. His triple-double — 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists — wasn’t just impressive; it was the difference-maker in a game that could shape the final playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The win pushed the Bulls to 37-43, while the Heat dropped to 36-44, turning a tight race for the final postseason spots into a nail-biter with just two games left in the regular season.

How the Game Unfolded

The Bulls didn’t start strong. They trailed by seven points early in the first quarter, and by the 11:45 mark, Miami was up 22-15. But something shifted at 3:38 in the second quarter. A driving layup by Kevin Huerter gave Chicago a 48-46 lead — their first advantage since the opening minutes. The crowd at the United Center, already buzzing, erupted. From there, the Bulls never looked back. They outscored Miami 31-20 in the second quarter, turning a deficit into a 10-point halftime lead.

By the fourth, it was all Giddey. At 10:40, he dished his 10th assist — a no-look pass to Huerter in the corner — officially completing his triple-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds. He wasn’t done. At 1:17 left, he grabbed his 15th rebound, a contested board over two defenders. Then, with 24.4 seconds remaining, Tyler Herro hit his 13th field goal to reach 30 points, the game’s highest total. But it was too late. The Heat had fought hard — Herro shot 13-for-26, hit both free throws, and kept Miami alive — but Chicago’s balance was too much.

The Players Who Made the Difference

Giddey’s stat line was historic for a 22-year-old in the final stretch of the season. He’s now the first Bull to record a 25-15-10 triple-double since Nikola Vučević in 2021. But he didn’t do it alone. Huerter, acquired in a midseason trade, delivered 22 points and 7 assists, hitting clutch jumpers when Miami’s defense collapsed on Giddey. Forward Ayo Dosunmu added 14 points off the bench, and rookie center Zach Edey contributed 8 rebounds and 4 blocks in just 21 minutes.

For Miami, Herro carried the offensive load, but the supporting cast struggled. Duncan Robinson went 1-for-6 from three. Bam Adebayo, held to 16 points and 8 rebounds, was visibly frustrated on the sideline in the final minutes. The Heat’s bench scored just 28 points — 19 fewer than Chicago’s reserves.

Why This Game Mattered

With just two games left, the Bulls and Heat were separated by just one game in the Eastern Conference standings. This win gave Chicago the season series tiebreaker — a crucial edge if they finish tied with Miami for the 8th seed. ESPN’s playoff tracker showed the Bulls’ chances of making the playoffs jumped from 41% to 58% after this game. Meanwhile, Miami’s path narrowed. They now need to win both of their final games — including Friday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans — and hope other results go their way.

The betting lines had the Heat as 3-point favorites. They lost by eight. That meant bettors who backed the Bulls cashed in — a rare bright spot in a season full of disappointment for Chicago fans. The game also had emotional weight: it was the final regular-season meeting between these two teams this year, and the rivalry has grown heated since Miami eliminated Chicago in the 2023 playoffs.

What’s Next for Both Teams

The Bulls face the Washington Wizards on Friday, April 11, at 8:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. It’s a must-win. Washington, already eliminated, has nothing to lose — and they’ve beaten top teams on the road this season. Chicago’s broadcast partners, Chicago Sports Network and Monumental Sports Network, promise a full pregame analysis.

The Heat, meanwhile, head to New Orleans to face the Pelicans at 8:00 PM ET. The Pelicans, sitting at 34-46, are fighting for their own playoff hopes. But with Zion Williamson still sidelined and Brandon Ingram inconsistent, Miami should be favored. Still, after this loss, confidence is shaky. Their last four games have been decided by an average of 5.3 points — all losses.

Behind the Numbers

Here’s what the box score really tells us:

• Chicago outrebounded Miami 52-38 — a 14-rebound advantage that turned into 21 second-chance points.
• The Bulls shot 51% from the field; Miami managed just 44%.
• Chicago had 27 assists on 44 made baskets. Miami had 20 assists on 40 made baskets.
• At the free-throw line, Miami was 18-for-21 (86%); Chicago was 16-for-20 (80%).

It wasn’t about scoring efficiency. It was about control. Giddey didn’t just score — he dictated tempo. He held the ball, slowed the game down when Miami tried to run, and found open shooters. That’s the mark of a true floor general.

Historical Context

This was the 157th meeting between the Bulls and Heat in regular-season play. Chicago leads the all-time series 85-72. But since 2017, Miami has dominated, winning 12 of the last 15 matchups. This win snaps a three-game losing streak against the Heat for Chicago. It’s also the first triple-double by a Bull against Miami since Derrick Rose had 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in 2012.

For Giddey, it’s his third triple-double of the season — all coming in the last 12 games. He’s become the kind of player Chicago hoped they’d get when they drafted him sixth overall in 2021. After being traded from Oklahoma City last summer, he’s finally found his rhythm.