The Chicago Bulls lose with missing key players against a great Cavaliers 115-92. The Bulls were led by Lavine with 23 points and 9 assists. While Evan finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and career high 5 blocks.
Game Recap
In the first quarter, the Bulls started with a Lavine step-back three-pointer to make a 2 point lead of 3-1 against the Cavaliers. The most significant lead of the night for the Bulls was only 2 points. The Cavaliers started with a 6-point lead halfway through the first quarter with the rookie star Evan Mobley. Mobley had six early points to start the game. A Lonzo Ball three-pointer and Lavine lay-up brought the Bulls lead to one. But veteran guard Ricky Rubio gave the Cavilers a boost to get the lead back to five to end the quarter at a 5-point lead at 24-29.
The Cavaliers’ lead got more prominent lead in the second quarter with a 15-7 run, and a Darius Garland three-pointer made the biggest lead of the second quarter at 13 points. The Bulls could not get any shots down, especially with the bench ending with 0 points for the game. Chicago shot 33% from the field and 14% from the three-point line in the second quarter. The Bulls brought the lead down to 5 with a Derrick Jones Jr. dunk, but the lead at the half was 9, 43-52.
Cavaliers Getting Hot
After a Vucevic tip shot to get the lead back to 5 points at the 10-minute mark, the Cavaliers went on a 26-13 run to visit the quarter. Kevin Love helped the 26-13 run with three three-pointers. The Cavaliers shot 60% from the field while the Bulls shot only 30%. Evan Mobley met Zack Lavine at the rim at the end of the quarter with a nasty block. That helped Mobley get five blocks for the game.
The fourth quarter was much as the same as the third quarter. After a Darius Garland three-pointer, the Cavaliers lead up 24 points. The Bulls unloaded their bench and gave a much-needed rest to the Bulls starters. The Cavaliers ended up with a blowout win against a Bulls team without five significant players.
Final Thoughts
Bulls: You can’t judge how the Bulls will play without a more healthy team. Don’t expect everybody to come back on Saturday. But the good news is Alex Caruso has a small chance to play on Saturday. Also, the Miami Heat aren’t 100% healthy either, with Jimmy Butler being day-to-day with an unknown injury. The Bulls next Monday will start a long homestand that will include a tough test against the Lakers.
Cavaliers: They finally get that good win after dropping their last two games in close games against the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks. You can’t treat this game as a win against a “great team,” especially without DeMar DeRozan. But they are back on track with a win that always feels good. Evan Mobley had the best game of the season and will look to continue against the Timberwolves.
Bulls COVID Issues
Today, fans became aware of another player entering the NBA health and safety protocols: Derrick Jones Jr. has had a solid season so far with averaging 7 points and 3.5 rebounds. He has also been playing as a center when the Bulls go to their small-ball lineup.
Up Next
Bulls travel to Miami to take on the Heat on Saturday.
The Cavaliers go on the road to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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