Player grades: Bulls struggle late, playoff hopes end in loss vs. Heat

Miami’s late run was too much for Chicago as their season comes to an end.

The Chicago Bulls’ season has come to an end.

On Friday night, the Bulls fell to the Miami Heat, 102-91, in the play-in finale to earn the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Out the gate, the Heat jumped out to a steady lead in the first half as they went into halftime with a five-point lead.

In the third quarter, the Bulls fought to close the gap and took a 68-67 lead into the fourth quarter.

Chicago jumped out to a six-point lead halfway through the fourth quarter before the Heat went on a 27-11 run to close out the game and end the Bulls’ season.

“Everybody was playing their heart out. It was a low-scoring game, high defense, Everybody was just trying to put the ball in the hoop,” Zach LaVine said. “It hurts. You try to scratch away and win the game. We didn’t make enough plays. This stings.”

DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 26 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and one steal on 9-of-19 shooting from the floor and 8-of-9 from the free throw line

Coming off his 39-point performance against Toronto, LaVine struggled from the floor, scoring just 15 points on 6-of-21 shooting.

Check out the player grades from Friday night’s play-in loss below.