Chicago stomped Miami by 25 - their biggest first-quarter edge since 1997

The Bulls were lauded for establishing a historic first-quarter lead for the first time since the Michael Jordan era.

© Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

For another interesting plot twist of their zigzagging season thus far, the Chicago Bulls decided to make history anew. Battling the Miami Heat, the Bulls landed another historic milestone in its franchise history on Thursday night by establishing a massive 25-point lead in the first quarter.

The mark appeared with 3:54 left in the opening period when Coby White drained a trifecta, which forced an immediate Heat timeout. At that point, the Bulls sank 13 of their first 17 shots.

COBY WHITE is in his bag 😤@CobyWhite | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/px3G7OAs2E

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 15, 2023

The Bulls haven't done this feat in nearly 27 years — the time when Michael Jordan was still the face of the franchise.

Hats off

This early momentum went on to become the main platform of Chicago to wrap it up over Miami eventually. The Heat made a furious rally for the remaining part of the first half to cut it to four at halftime, 60-56. But the Bulls still came out victorious and outran the Heat behind the leads of Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic in the second half.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra can only admit that they wouldn't sustain the home loss if it weren't for the initial barrage made by the Bulls.

“Well, a lot of things can be true, right? I seem to say that a lot. You do have to credit them,” Spoelstra said. “They jumped all over us. … We didn’t start the game with a lot of juice and we’re not going to make any excuses about it.”

When was the last time?

The Bulls’ 25-point, first-quarter edge is the highest of the team since Jan. 31, 1997, where both Jordan and Scottie Pippen powered Chicago in an evisceration against the Golden State Warriors by 27, 35-8.

The Bulls ended up winning the game in a wire-to-wire fashion. A few months later, they raised their fifth championship in franchise history.

Chicago Bulls breaks two-game slump with huge win over the Miami Heat