Ayo Dosunmu Scores 29 as Bulls Defeat Heat 125 to 118 in Miami Amid Heavy Absences

MIAMI -- The Chicago Bulls delivered a shorthanded but efficient performance Saturday night as Ayo Dosunmu recorded a season high 29 points to lead a 125 to 118 road win over the Miami Heat in a game shaped by roster absences and late game execution.

Dosunmu added nine assists and eight rebounds in one of his most complete performances of the season, continuing a recent stretch of increased on ball responsibility. Rookie forward Matas Buzelis scored 21 points while Chicago relied heavily on perimeter shooting, finishing 20 of 45 from three point range. The Bulls entered the night without multiple regular rotation players and leaned into pace and spacing to compensate.

Miami responded with balance but struggled to regain control late. Pelle Larsson scored 22 points and Bam Adebayo finished with 21, including 15 in the fourth quarter as the Heat tied the game four times in the final 3 minutes and 37 seconds. Jaime Jaquez Jr added 20 points, though Miami never reclaimed the lead after its final tie.

The breaking update centered on Chicago’s response to early adversity. Head coach Billy Donovan used two early timeouts to reset momentum, first triggering a 12 to 0 run in the opening quarter and later sparking a 10 to 0 surge early in the third after the Bulls fell behind by 11. That sequence flipped the game and helped Chicago carry a 91 to 84 advantage into the fourth.

From a league wide perspective, the matchup highlighted depth and adaptability. Both teams were missing several high salary contributors because of injuries, rest, or personal matters, placing increased emphasis on secondary scorers and bench lineups. For Chicago, the performance underscored Dosunmu’s growing role as a connector guard capable of carrying offensive stretches when primary options are unavailable.

The impact on the season outlook is notable. The Bulls continue to evaluate younger pieces and lineup flexibility as they navigate availability challenges, while Miami remains focused on consistency and health entering the next phase of its schedule. Saturday’s result also carried historical context, marking the second meeting of a rare three game regular season series between the same teams in the same cities, a scheduling quirk not seen since 1972.

What this means moving forward is straight forward. The teams will meet again in Miami on Sunday night, offering an immediate adjustment window.

The next steps include monitoring player availability and potential rotation changes as both clubs look to manage workload and sustain performance across consecutive games.