The Chicago Bulls’ 2024-25 campaign has ended after losing 109-90 to the Miami Heat in yesterday’s ninth vs. 10th matchup in the NBA play-in tournament.
Chicago couldn’t get it going against Miami, as they were outscored 71-47 in the first half. They couldn’t find a way to slow down Tyler Herro, who made his first eight field goals and finished with 38 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 13-for-19 shooting from the field and 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
Josh Giddey led the Chicago Bulls in the losing effort with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists on 9-for-21 shooting from the field. Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Kevin Huerter added 17, 16, and 10 points.
For the third straight year, Miami eliminated Chicago in the play-in tournament, and they have a chance to secure the right to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round when they take on Atlanta on Friday.
Chicago Bulls News: Billy Donovan delivers blunt take on the team’s makeup after season-ending loss
The Chicago Bulls haven’t qualified for the postseason in the last three seasons, as they’ve always fallen short in the play-in tournament. According to head coach Billy Donovan, Chicago can contend again for the playoffs if the organization finds an elite talent, which was missing in last night’s game.
‘‘You look at any great team, they have ‘a guy’ that’s really, really elite,’’ Donovan said via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘And a lot of times it’s in the backcourt.
‘‘I think Coby made a really good jump (this season), and wherever he gets to, I don’t know. Josh (Giddey) made a nice jump. I’m sure those will be all things the front office will take a look at as they go into the draft and free agency,” he added.
