PREVIEW: The Miami Heat travel to Chicago to face the Bulls in NBA Cup play , with both teams looking to gain ground in their conference group. Miami sits fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 9-6 record , while Chicago holds seventh place at 8-6. The Heat lead the Eastern Conference in scoring at 123.6 points per game while shooting 48.3% , giving them a potent offensive foundation heading into this matchup. The game tips off at 8 pm ET at United Center , setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive showdown between two evenly matched squads. Chicago is riding a two-game winning streak after a thrilling 122-121 road victory over Portland on Wednesday , with Nikola Vucevic drilling a crucial 3-pointer to secure the win. Miami has struggled away from home in recent games but appears healthier now, with center Bam Adebayo returning from a toe strain and contributing 20 points and seven rebounds in their last outing. The Bulls have dominated the recent series with Miami, going 8-2 in regular season matchups , though both squads will be looking to make their moves in this important tournament game. With both teams shooting effectively and boasting strong offensive capabilities, expect an entertaining battle that could come down to execution and momentum in crucial moments.