Inspired Tyler Herro leads Heat to victory over Bulls in Play-In

The Miami Heat extended their 2024-25 season with a 109-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday in Chicago in the Play-In, in a game in which Tyler Herro starred with 38 points.

Herro, 25, scored 23 of his 38 points in a first half in which he hit all eight of his attempts from the field, including three 3-pointers.

Herro said his goal was to "come out in attack mode. ... We really prepared the last couple of days leading up to tonight. We got one more to go, the job's not done, just to get into the Playoffs."

"We know Atlanta dropped one yesterday in Orlando. They are a tough team ... We have to come and execute the game plan, I know the coaching staff will have us ready."

Miami will have one final test to seal a spot in the NBA Playoffs on Friday when it faces the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In tournament finale.

The winner will be seeded eighth and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.

In the first half, the Heat led by as many as 25 points, shooting 56% (10-18) from the 3-point line, compared to 33% (6-18) for the Bulls.

The three-game series during the regular season ended with three wins in favor of Chicago; two of the three games were at home for the Bulls.

Chicago played better offensively in the third quarter, a pattern that cost Miami all season long, and managed to close the gap to 14 points.

During the regular season, Miami suffered 15 losses after leading at the end of the first three quarters, an NBA record.

Josh Giddey, who was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Chicago in June of last year, started despite having hand discomfort, while Lonzo Ball was absent with a wrist injury.

Giddey, 22, recorded 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, leading his team in scoring.

The Heat are aiming to become the first team to enter the Playoffs by being seeded tenth.

NBA Play-In results and teams already qualified to the first round

Eastern Conference:

- Play-In:

Tuesday, April 15

1. Orlando Magic - Atlanta Hawks 120-95

Wednesday, April 16

2. Chicago Bulls - Miami Heat 90-109

Friday, April 18

3. Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat

- First round Playoffs (best of seven)

Cleveland Cavaliers (1) vs. TBD (8)

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Orlando Magic (7)

New York Knicks (3) vs. Detroit Pistons (6)

Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (5)

-Western Conference:

- Play-In:

Tuesday, April 15

1. Golden State Warriors - Memphis Grizzlies 121-116

Wednesday, April 16

2. Sacramento Kings - Dallas Mavericks 106-120

Friday, April 18

3. Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks

- First round Playoffs (best of seven games)

Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. TBD (8)

Houston Rockets (2) vs. Golden State Warriors (7)

Los Angeles Lakers (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)

Denver Nuggets (4) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (5)