MIAMI _ Bulls coach Jim Boylen was practically giddy before the game.
Yes, his team entered the Heat's arena having lost 14 of its last 15. And following a defense-optional fourth quarter in Brooklyn, the Bulls touched down at 3:30 a.m.
"This game is what the league is about," Boylen said. "You get in late after a competitive game and now you're playing at the Miami Heat, a great franchise. A competitive person takes that challenge. This is a big game. This is fun."
Shockingly enough, Boylen had fun during the game, too. Despite playing without top scorer Zach LaVine, the Bulls took down the Heat, 105-89.
Bobby Portis was the man, scoring a season-high 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting. He was unstoppable to start the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points in a three-minute span.
After he made a baby hook shot to put the Bulls ahead 92-77, he swatted a Tyler Johnson offering.
With LaVine nursing an ankle injury (and Dwyane Wade out for the Heat with a sore knee), the Bulls started Lauri Markkanen, Robin Lopez, Wayne Selden, Ryan Arcidiacono and Kris Dunn.
All five scored at least nine points.
Markkanen went for 14 points and 13 rebounds: his third straight double-double, a career first.
Selden scored 20, making 4 of 6 from long range. He dished out a career-best eight assists.
Even guard Brandon Sampson chipped in. The rookie from LSU went 2 for 2 from the field in his Bulls debut.
The Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak and improved to 12-40. They earned an off day Thursday in South Florida.
As Boylen put it before the game: "We will take (Thursday) off, as much as it kills me."
"Just kidding," he added.
