Tyler Herro's 38-point explosion sends Miami Heat to Atlanta in Play-In Tournament
When Tyler Herro dropped 38 points on Wednesday night, it wasn’t just a performance — it was a statement. The Miami Heat crushed the Chicago Bulls 109-90 at Chicago’s United Center on April 16, 2025, in a game that effectively ended the Bulls’ playoff hopes and sent the Heat hurtling toward Atlanta for the next round of the NBA Play-In Tournament. Herro didn’t just score — he carved up Chicago’s defense like a surgeon, hitting pull-ups, driving through traffic, and even stepping back from deep when the defense overplayed him. The Heat led by 11 after the first quarter and blew the game open with a 32-point second frame, turning a tight contest into a 24-point halftime lead. By the end, the difference wasn’t just in the score — it was in momentum, confidence, and destiny.
Early Domination Set the Tone
The Heat didn’t wait to make their presence felt. They opened with a 39-point first quarter — the highest-scoring opening frame of the entire Play-In Tournament so far. Miami Heat’s offense moved like clockwork, with Herro and Duncan Robinson combining for 24 of those points. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls looked sluggish, missing open threes and turning the ball over in critical moments. By the end of the first, the scoreboard read 39-28, and the energy in the arena had shifted. The Bulls’ fans, who had hoped for a late-season resurgence, fell silent. The Heat, on a three-game winning streak and sitting at 10-6, looked every bit the team that had climbed to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Second Quarter: The Nail in the Coffin
But the real damage came in the second. Miami kept the pedal down, outscoring Chicago 32-19 in the quarter. Herro hit three consecutive jumpers in a 90-second span, each one more difficult than the last. The Bulls, meanwhile, looked lost. Their star guard, Zach LaVine, managed just 4 points in the half, and the team’s bench — once a strength — contributed only 8 points. At halftime, the Heat led 71-47. That 24-point margin was the largest halftime lead any team had built in a Play-In game since 2022. For the Bulls, who entered the game at 8-7 and already on a one-game skid, it was a crushing blow. Their playoff chances, already slim, now looked like a long shot.
Third Quarter: The Heat Pull Back — and the Bulls Can’t Respond
Here’s the twist: Miami didn’t need to go full throttle in the third. They scored just 17 points — their lowest quarter total of the night. But Chicago didn’t take advantage. The Bulls managed 27 points, which sounds good on paper — until you realize it was still 10 points below their season average in the third. The difference? Miami’s defense held Chicago to 3-of-14 from three-point range in the half. The Bulls’ offense, which had looked sharp in wins against Milwaukee and Indiana earlier in the week, completely evaporated. The crowd, once loud and hopeful, began filing out early. One fan near the lower bowl muttered, “We didn’t even try,” as the fourth quarter began.
Fourth Quarter: Formality, Not Drama
The final quarter was a formality. Miami scored 21 points. Chicago managed 16. The Heat reserves cleared the bench. The Bulls’ starters sat for the last 3:12. The game ended with a final score of 109-90 — a 19-point margin that felt even wider than the scoreboard suggested. For the Miami Heat, it was their fourth win in five games, solidifying their position as the No. 7 seed in the East. For the Chicago Bulls, it was their third loss in four games, and their first defeat since January that didn’t come against a top-tier opponent. The playoffs? They’re out.
What’s Next for Miami? Atlanta Awaits
Now, the Heat head to Atlanta, Georgia, for the next round of the Play-In. They’ll face the Atlanta Hawks, who sit at 9-7 — one game behind Miami in the East standings. The winner of that game, scheduled for April 18, claims the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser? They’ll play the winner of the 8-9 game between Orlando and Charlotte for the final spot. For Miami, this isn’t just about survival — it’s about proving they’re still a threat. After years of rebuilding, this team has found its rhythm. Herro is playing like a franchise player. Jimmy Butler’s leadership is steadier than ever. And the bench? They’re clicking.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
The NBA Play-In Tournament was introduced in 2021 to give more teams hope — and more games to watch. But this year, it’s become a pressure cooker. Teams like Miami and Atlanta are no longer just fighting for a spot — they’re fighting for credibility. The Bulls, meanwhile, are left to ask: What went wrong? A roster with LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vučević should be better than 8-7. They were supposed to be the dark horse in the East. Instead, they’re the team that faded when it mattered most.
Eastern Conference Standings Snapshot (April 16, 2025)
- Miami Heat: 10-6 (.625), 0 GB, W3
- Atlanta Hawks: 9-7 (.563), 1 GB, L2
- Orlando Magic: 9-7 (.563), 1 GB, W2
- Charlotte Hornets: 4-11 (.267), 5.5 GB, L4
- Chicago Bulls: 8-7 (.533), 5 GB, L1
- Washington Wizards: 1-14 (.067), 8.5 GB, L13
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Tyler Herro’s performance compare to other Play-In games this season?
Herro’s 38 points were the highest single-game total in the 2025 Play-In Tournament, surpassing the previous high of 34 by Jayson Tatum in a March game. It’s also the highest-scoring game by a Heat player in a postseason-eligible game since Bam Adebayo dropped 40 in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. His efficiency — 14-of-22 from the field, 6-of-8 from three — was nearly perfect under pressure.
Why did the Chicago Bulls collapse after a strong start to the season?
The Bulls started 6-2 but have been plagued by inconsistent defense, poor bench production, and injuries to key rotation players like Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu. Their offensive rating dropped from 117.3 in January to 108.9 in April. Without consistent playmaking beyond LaVine, they’ve struggled to close out games — especially against elite defenses like Miami’s.
What’s at stake for the Miami Heat in Atlanta?
Winning in Atlanta means securing the No. 7 seed and avoiding a first-round matchup with the top-seeded Boston Celtics. A loss drops them into a do-or-die game against the winner of Orlando vs. Charlotte — a much tougher path. Miami’s front office has been clear: they’re not here just to make the playoffs. They want to be a serious contender, and this game is the first real test of that ambition.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work this year?
The top six teams in each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs. Teams 7 through 10 enter the Play-In. The 7th and 8th place teams play each other; the winner gets the 7-seed. The loser gets a second chance against the winner of the 9th vs. 10th game. The winner of that second game earns the 8-seed. Miami, as the 7th seed, only needs to win one game to lock in their spot.
Is this the end of the Bulls’ rebuild?
Not necessarily — but it’s a major setback. With LaVine in his prime and DeRozan still effective, the core isn’t broken. But the front office will face pressure to make moves this offseason. If they don’t improve their defense and depth, the 2025-26 season could be another year of missed opportunities. This loss exposed their lack of playoff experience and mental toughness.
What’s the historical significance of Miami’s current streak?
The Heat’s current three-game winning streak is their longest since February 2023. More importantly, they’re the only team in the Eastern Conference to have beaten all four teams currently ranked above them (Boston, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Atlanta) in the last 12 months — a sign they’ve turned the corner from pretender to contender. This isn’t luck. It’s a system.