Game Time: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
Location: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
TV: FDSSUN, CHSN
Spread: Heat -5
Total: 238.5 points
Bulls fans, we need to talk about what’s happening here because it’s absolutely ridiculous.
We’re playing the Miami Heat for the THIRD TIME in FOUR DAYS. Three games against the same team in less than a week. That’s not normal. That hasn’t happened in the NBA since 1972.
And we’ve already lost the first two games. We’re down 0-2 in this bizarre mini-series, and if we lose tonight, we get swept by the same team three times in four days.
That would be… humiliating.
How Did We Get Here? The Scheduling Nightmare
Here’s the backstory: We were supposed to play Miami on January 8, but the court conditions weren’t safe (thanks, NBA operations). The league postponed it and rescheduled for January 29.
The problem? We were already scheduled to play Miami on January 29 AND January 31. So instead of canceling one game, the NBA just said “you know what, play all three games in four days.”
So we played Wednesday. We played Thursday. And now we’re playing Saturday.
Same opponent. Three times. Four days.
And we’re 0-2. We lost Wednesday. We lost 116-113 on Thursday despite being in the game until the end.
Now we’re in Miami, exhausted, and trying to avoid the sweep.
Current Records: We’re Spiraling, They’re Grinding
Bulls: 23-25 (8-14 on the road, on a 3-game losing streak)
Heat: 26-23 (15-8 at home)
We’re two games under .500 and falling fast. Three straight losses, all to the same team. We can’t win on the road (8-14), and now we’re in Miami where the Heat are 15-8.
Miami is three games over .500 and playing solid basketball despite a brutal schedule. They’re on their fourth game in five days, coming off a Western road trip, and they’re still winning.
That’s the difference between a well-coached, disciplined team and… us.
Why We’re 5-Point Underdogs (And Probably Losing Again)
1. We’ve Already Lost Twice To Them This Week
Zero and two. We couldn’t beat them Wednesday. We couldn’t beat them Thursday. Why would Saturday be different?
Miami has our number right now. They know our plays, they know our tendencies, and they’re executing better than we are.
2. We’re Terrible On The Road
8-14 away from the United Center. We can’t win consistently on the road, and Miami is 15-8 at home.
Playing in Miami in January is never easy. The crowd is into it, the Heat feed off that energy, and we wilt.
3. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo Are Outplaying Our Stars
Jimmy Butler is doing Jimmy Butler things—scoring, defending, controlling the game. Bam Adebayo is dominating both ends.
DeMar and Zach are trying, but they’re not matching Miami’s intensity. That’s the problem.
4. Their Bench Is Better Than Ours
Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin have outplayed our bench all series. We’re not getting enough from Ayo Dosunmu and Andre Drummond.
When bench depth matters in back-to-back-to-back games, Miami has the advantage.
5. We’re On A Three-Game Losing Streak
All three losses to the same team. We’re in our heads now. We’re pressing. We’re making mistakes late in games.
Miami is confident. We’re not. That matters.
Can The Bulls Possibly Avoid The Sweep?
Let me find some reasons to believe we don’t get embarrassed:
1. Miami Has To Be Tired
They’re playing their FOURTH game in FIVE days. They just got back from a Western road trip. Their legs have to be heavy.
If there’s ever a time to catch Miami vulnerable, it’s when they’re exhausted and playing the third game against us in four days.
2. We Push Pace Better
We average 17.6 fast break points per game. If we can push tempo and force Miami to run when they’re tired, we might steal this game.
Coby White needs to attack in transition relentlessly. Make them defend in the open court when their legs are gone.
3. We’re Desperate
We’re 23-25 and spiraling. If we get swept by the same team three times in four days, the season might be over emotionally.
Desperation can fuel great performances. Maybe tonight is the night our guys finally show up.
4. DeMar and Zach Are Due
They’ve been okay but not great in the first two games. Both are capable of 30+ point nights. If both go off tonight, we can win.
5. They Might Overlook Us
Miami has already won twice. Maybe they come out flat, thinking they’ve already proven they’re better. If we jump out early and punch them in the mouth, maybe we steal this one.
But let’s be real—they’re not overlooking us.
The Key Matchups We Keep Losing
Jimmy Butler vs DeMar DeRozan
Jimmy has been better. He’s scoring, defending, and controlling the game. DeMar has been good but not great.
If DeMar can’t outplay Jimmy tonight, we lose again.
Edge: Jimmy in this series.
Bam Adebayo vs Nikola Vučević
Bam’s mobility and defense vs Vooch’s scoring and rebounding. Bam has been dominant on both ends all series.
Vooch needs a huge game—25+ points, 14+ rebounds. Otherwise, we’re toast.
Edge: Bam so far.
Tyler Herro vs Coby White
Battle of streaky guards who can swing momentum. Herro has been better this series.
Coby needs to get hot from three and push pace in transition. If he can get 22-24 points, we’ve got a shot.
Edge: Herro in this series.
My Prediction: We Lose But Keep It Respectable
I want to believe we can avoid the sweep. I want to think our guys will show pride and fight.
But Miami has beaten us twice already. They’re at home. They’re better coached. And we’re on a three-game losing streak.
Final Score: Heat 121, Bulls 115
We lose by 6, which means we don’t cover the +5. We keep it competitive for three quarters, but Miami pulls away late again.
We get swept in the most embarrassing way possible—three games in four days to the same team.
Betting Picks
Avoid: Everything
We’re 0-2 in this series. Miami owns us right now. I don’t trust us to do anything.
If Forced: Bulls +5 ✓
Five points is a lot, and Miami has to be exhausted. Maybe we keep it close.
Lean: Over 238.5
Both teams can score. This should go over even if we lose.
Player Prop: DeMar DeRozan Over 25.5 Points
DeMar is going to try to will us to a win. He’ll get his points.
Keys To Not Getting Swept
For the Bulls to win:
- Push pace relentlessly (22+ fast break points)
- DeMar and Zach BOTH have huge games (30+ each)
- Vooch dominates Bam (25+ points, 12+ rebounds)
- Play defense for once
- Make free throws late
What seals the sweep:
- Jimmy Butler dominates again
- We go cold in the third quarter (our specialty)
- Miami’s bench outplays ours again
- We turn the ball over 16+ times
- We give up 125+ points
The Honest Bulls Fan Take
Getting swept by the same team three times in four days would be one of the most embarrassing things to happen to this franchise in years.
We’re already 23-25 and barely clinging to playoff hopes. If we can’t beat Miami even once in three tries, what does that say about this team?
Miami is better than us. That’s clear. But we should be able to win ONE game out of three.
The problem is we’re on the road, where we’re terrible. Miami is at home, where they’re good. And we’ve already lost twice to them this week.
Can we avoid the sweep? Maybe. If DeMar and Zach both go nuclear, if Vooch dominates, if Miami is exhausted, we have a chance.
Will we avoid the sweep? Probably not.
Heat 121, Bulls 115. We get swept. The season continues to spiral. And we desperately need the All-Star break.
Go Bulls. Please, PLEASE don’t get swept. Show some pride.
Game Info Summary
- When: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
- Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
- TV: FDSSUN, CHSN
- Records: Bulls 23-25, Heat 26-23
- Spread: Heat -5
- Total: 238.5 points
The series so far:
- Wednesday: Heat won
- Thursday: Heat won 116-113
- Saturday: Trying to avoid the sweep
Why this is happening:
- January 8 game postponed (court conditions)
- Rescheduled for January 29
- Already had games January 29 and 31
- Result: 3 games in 4 days vs same team
Bulls’ struggles:
- 23-25 record (two games under .500)
- 8-14 on the road
- 3-game losing streak (all vs Miami)
- Can’t close games
Heat’s advantages:
- 26-23 record
- 15-8 at home
- Already beat us twice this week
- Better bench, better execution
Key stat: This hasn’t happened since 1972 (3 games vs same team in 4 days)
Final picks:
- Avoid this game (we’re broken)
- Bulls +5 if forced (Miami tired?)
- Over 238.5 (lean)
- DeMar Over 25.5 points
Bottom line: We’re probably getting swept. Show some pride and avoid total humiliation.
Go Bulls. Win one game. Just one. Please!