The NBA dropped the 2025–26 schedule, and for Chicago Bulls fans, there’s one stretch that jumps off the page: late January. That’s when the Bulls take a trip down to Miami for two games in three nights. Just regular season stuff? Not even close. These games carry weight—a lot of it. Chicago Bulls vs. Heat in January? Circle those dates. It’s personal.
Bulls Eyeing Double Dose of Revenge After NBA Schedule Quirk
Same Script, New Chapter?
Let’s be real for a second. Bulls fans have been through the wringer lately. Three straight years, same painful ending, a one-way ticket out of playoff contention. And in every one of those seasons, the team that slammed the door shut? Yep, the Miami Heat.
It’s become a pattern that’s hard to ignore. Erik Spoelstra’s squad, with guys like Bam Adebayo and a rotating cast of overachievers, has had Chicago’s number, plain and simple. But this time around, there’s a chance to change the story.
These aren’t just “two games in January.” These are gut-check moments.
That Last Loss Still Hurts
Last season looked different. There was hope. The Bulls actually clicked after the All-Star break, not something we’ve been able to say often in recent years. Josh Giddey stepped into his own, Matas Buzelis didn’t look like a rookie, and Coby White? The guy was electric.
Chicago went on a legit tear, winning 17 of their last 27 games and closing the season with a 10-3 run. That momentum felt real, like something was finally clicking.
Then… thud. The Heat again. A blowout in the play-in. Bulls scored just 90 points after averaging over 120 heading in. It was deflating; like running full speed into a brick wall. It wasn’t just another loss, it was one of those nights that makes you question everything. Because honestly? That version of the Bulls should’ve been better.
Lonzo, the What-If, and That Annoying .500 Bubble
Let’s not pretend the team hasn’t had a string of bad breaks. Back in 2021–22, the Bulls looked sharp: 46 wins and trending up. Then Lonzo Ball’s knee gave out, and he basically vanished from the lineup (and the conversation).
Since then, it’s been a weird holding pattern. Hovering around .500. Barely slipping into the play-in. Never quite terrible, never quite threatening. One year it was Toronto and Miami. Next? Atlanta… then Miami again. It’s like a broken record at this point.
And sure, you can chalk some of that up to injuries or bad matchups, but eventually, enough is enough.
Turning the Vibe Around
This January series in Miami could flip the script, even just a little. No one is pretending two regular season wins will erase the past three years. That’s not how sports works. But man, it would feel good.
Taking both games down in Miami? That would say something. To the fans, to the league, to the locker room. It would show the Bulls aren’t just here to participate, they’re ready to hit back. Finally.
And no, the Heat won’t roll over. Spoelstra doesn’t let his teams sleepwalk through matchups, especially ones with playoff vibes in the air. But these Bulls, if they’re serious about changing their trajectory, need to prove they can handle that kind of heat — pun intended.
So yeah. Two games. Three nights. January. Doesn’t sound like much at first glance, but for Chicago? It’s personal! And it might be the start of something that finally feels different.
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