Bulls exploit transition game to topple short-handed Cavaliers 136-125 in Cleveland
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The Chicago Bulls outran the Cleveland Cavaliers 136-125 on Friday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, handing Cleveland its third straight defeat and eighth loss in 11 games.
Chicago (12-15) converted Cavaliers turnovers and misses into a 20-7 fast-break advantage and maintained control after Cleveland erased a 14-point deficit in the second half. Forward Matas Buzelis and center Nikola Vučević paced the Bulls with 24 points apiece.
The Cavaliers (15-14) played without four regulars: Donovan Mitchell (illness), Evan Mobley (injury), Max Strus (injury) and Sam Merrill (injury). Despite the absences, Cleveland shot 47.5 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three-point range.
Guard Darius Garland scored a game-high 35 points and hit 6 of 12 from beyond the arc. Rookie Tyrese Proctor, starting in Mitchell’s place, added 16 points, while fellow rookie NaeQwan Tomlin contributed 15. Center Jarrett Allen finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and De’Andre Hunter supplied 11 off the bench.
“You score 125 points, that should be enough,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It’s on me to get the other areas fixed.” Cleveland was out-rebounded and struggled securing loose balls, continuing season-long issues with transition defense.
The Cavaliers return to action Sunday seeking to halt their slide, while the Bulls look to build on Friday’s win.
Source: Hoops Wire
