Bulls open 25-point first-quarter lead in Miami, team's largest since Jordan era
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks to pass the ball as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Coby White (0) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Miami. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky
MIAMI — The Chicago Bulls had a start the likes of which the franchise hadn't seen since the Michael Jordan era on Thursday night.
The Bulls jumped out to a 33-8 lead in Miami — the team's biggest first-quarter lead in nearly 27 years. Chicago made 13 of its first 17 shots.
The last time Chicago had a bigger first-quarter lead was Jan. 31, 1997, at Golden State. Jordan made a jumper late in the opening period to give the Bulls a 27-point edge at 35-8. Chicago went on to win that game 115-92 and eventually won the NBA title that season.
Chicago's 25-point first-quarter lead Thursday was the second-largest in the NBA this season. Boston led Washington by 26 in the opening quarter on Oct. 30.
Miami finished the period on a 14-3 run, getting within 36-22 by the end of the first. The 25-point margin was the biggest opening-quarter deficit for the Heat since falling behind by 28 in the first quarter of a playoff game against Milwaukee on May 24, 2021.
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