CHICAGO _ Dwyane Wade began the night at the United Center by insisting that there yet could be better days ahead for the Chicago Bulls.
He then went out and did his best to make sure this wouldn't be one of those days, with the Miami Heat handing the Bulls their 10th consecutive loss, 117-103, Saturday night.
Down by nine in the first half, the Heat maximized the return of Josh Richardson and made Wade's final career game in his hometown a successful one as they got back to .500 at 22-22.
Richardson, who missed Friday night's loss to the Detroit Pistons due to illness, returned with 26 points, draining four 3-pointers. Wade, cheered throughout the night, offered a 14-point, 10-rebound bench boost and received a standing ovation upon checking out with two minutes to play.
Those efforts were needed, with Lauri Markkanen pacing the Bulls with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Dion Waiters added 21 points off the bench for the Heat.
Going in, Wade said of the Bulls, "They're trying to get it right. And you don't know if you've got it right until you've got it right."
The Heat went into the fourth quarter up 83-76 and this time, unlike in Detroit, extended their lead.
Wade was asked before the game to reflect on his Chicago basketball lineage.
"When people have asked me who I think the best player who was born and raised in Chicago, I always go with Isiah Thomas," he said of the iconic Pistons point guard.
But he said Chicago basketball is about more than himself and Thomas.
"So many players who have come through this city that I love to watch and respect," he said, "because I know how we grew up and how we had to learn to fend for ourselves and what it took to become successful."
Among those also mentioned by Wade were Derrick Rose and former Heat guard Quentin Richardson.
The Bulls honored Wade with a video during the game's first timeout, one that centered on his 2016-17 season in Chicago, with a standing ovation following.
Wade's wife, actress Gabrielle Union, watched from courtside, across from the Heat bench.
