When it comes to playing teams with records just as good (or better) than theirs, the Bulls tend to come up short.
This was again the case Feb. 28, as Chicago (39-23) lost to the Miami Heat (41-21) 112-99 in Florida. It was the second straight loss for the Bulls after notching six consecutive wins.
Chicago has the sixth-best record in the NBA, but is now 1-8 against the five teams with better records: Phoenix, Golden State, Memphis, Utah and Miami, ESPN noted. The win was against the Jazz in October.
The Heat moved a season-best two games clear of the second-place Bulls in the East.
Also, Chicago guard DeMar DeRozan's streak of 10 consecutive games with at least 30 points ended, as he finished with 18. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 22 points, while Ayo Dosunmu had 18 and Nikola Vucevic added 14 for Chicago. Former Bull Jimmy Butler had 15 points for the Heat; Gabe Vincent and Tyler Herro each scored 20 points for Miami.
The Bulls next play at Atlanta on Thursday, March 3.