Can the Bulls overcome the Heat this time? Relive the Bulls’ play-in loss to the Heat in 2023 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
It’s a repeat scenario for the Bulls and Heat, who will play in the final play-in game for a shot at the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference first round.
Remember, the Heat ended the Bulls’ season last year in the same situation, sending them home in the play-in to the tune of a 102-91 victory in South Beach. It’s the same setup this season, but with key differences.
After defeating the Hawks on Wednesday to advance in the Eastern Conference play-in, Alex Caruso previewed the Bulls’ next matchup against the Heat on Friday. Does Caruso believe in the revenge storyline, as the Bulls head to Miami in the same situation as last year’s?
“Yeah, I guess,” Caruso said Wednesday. “Different season, different teams. Their team is considerably different. Ours, we got a couple of new guys, but a lot of the same faces. Hopefully, we can use a little bit of that experience and go in, take care of business. We’ve played close games with them just about every year I’ve been here at their place. And we know what to expect.”
MORE: Bulls-Heat: Who has edge in Play-In matchup?
Last year, the Heat stood in front of the Bulls for their shot at the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. In a do-or-die game in Miami — just as it will be this Friday — the Heat bested the Bulls to take the cake.
Two keys set the Heat apart from the Bulls: free throws and Max Strus.
The Heat shot a whopping 32 free throws, making 28 of them. The Bulls fouled the Heat 25 times, constantly sending them to the charity stripe, where the Heat took advantage.
Then the “Strus was loose,” as they say. He knocked down seven 3-point shots while shooting 50% from the field. He finished with 31 points against his former team. Jimmy Butler also tacked on 31 points.
MORE: The ‘Strus is loose’ against his former, hometown team
Outside the box score, the Heat’s distinct, physical game helped them. Then, the Heat played at the second-slowest pace in the NBA (98), coupled with the ninth-best defensive efficiency rating (110.6). Their role players gave…
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