The Miami Heat rolled past the Chicago Bulls in route to their 10th win in the NBA season and now sit with a 2-1 record in NBA cup games. Even with below standard performances from Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo, the Miami Heat put up 143 points in their 36-point win over the Bulls
Kel’el Ware put together another complete game in Chicago. Ware had his seventh consecutive game with 10+ boards (a career high) while also scoring 20 points and gathering 2 steals and a block. Ware’s presence was felt in all 28 of his minutes and his recent stretch is a major positive for the Heat. Ware got the start with Wiggins out and took advantage.
2. Pelle Larsson- A+
Pelle Larsson is the ultimate role player. And he played a great one in the victory over the Bulls. Pelle collected 16 points on 80% shooting (104.7 TS%), dished out 7 assists, nabbed 2 steals, and led the Heat with a +29 in his 26 minutes. Pelle’s impact was enormous, even in the fourth quarter as the Heat pulled away, Pelle scored 6 points and dished out 5 of his assists, never taking the foot off the gas and keeping the lead out of the Bulls reach.
An A+ was an easy grade to give out to Keshad Johnson. Talk about making the most of your opportunity. With Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic sidelined, Johnson was thrown into the mix, and recorded himself a double-double, 14 points and 12 boards. Johnson also had a great impact defensively where he collected 2 blocks and a steal. That Heat have long thrived where players step up and fill a role, and Johnson did just that.