Rookie Matas Buzelis scored a career-best 24 points on 10-for-10 shooting to help the Chicago Bulls top the Miami Heat 133-124 on Tuesday at the United Center.
Josh Giddey matched with 24 points, Coby White scored 22 points and Ayo Dosunmu added 21 points and nine assists for the Bulls, who played their first game since trading two-time All-Star Zach LaVine to Sacramento late Sunday.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo each scored 23 for Miami, which had won three of four.
The Bulls trailed 118-114 with five minutes to play but an 11-2 run helped secure the win.
Nikola Jovic added 20 points and Kel’el Ware finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, which opened the game on a 12-2 run and led 70-60 at intermission.
Bulls center Nikola Vučević, also the subject of trade speculation, finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds in what could be his final home game at the United Center.
Takeaways
The Heat: Guard Duncan Robinson shook off a right hip contusion and started fast. He began the game-opening run with a pair of 3-pointers.
The Bulls: New additions Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones underwent physicals and attended Tuesday’s game. Coach Billy Donovan said the Bulls expect the trio to be cleared for basketball activities and travel to Minnesota with the team on Wednesday, but they won’t be made active for the game against the Timberwolves.
Donovan will integrate the group into the rest of the team during practice Friday, preparing them to debut in Saturday’s home game against the Golden State Warriors. This also gives the Bulls time to complete any potential transactions involving any of these players by Thursday’s trade deadline.
Key moment
White appeared stuck at the top of the key with the shot clock running down but spun away into an open lane for a dunk with 2:25 left that gave Chicago a 125-120 lead and capped the decisive run.
Key stat
Buzelis will see more minutes as the season winds down and he gave hometown fans plenty to enjoy Tuesday. He finished the night 10 for 10 from the floor with several spinning scoops at the basket and four 3-pointers.
Up next
The Heat travel to Philadelphia on Wednesday, the same night the Bulls visit Minnesota.
— The Tribune’s Julia Poe contributed to this report.