The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their preseason schedule Tuesday night at Rocket Arena with a blistering start, then sputtered late and dropped a 118-117 decision to the Chicago Bulls.
Early burst fizzles
Head coach Kenny Atkinson’s starting five—Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and second-year wing Jaylon Tyson (in for the injured Sam Merrill)—raced to a 17-6 lead in less than five minutes. Atkinson used his starters in three short stints; the first produced a 22-11 edge before a full line change.
The second unit of Craig Porter Jr., Lonzo Ball, Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr. and NaeQwan Tomlin kept the momentum, sending Cleveland to a 37-26 lead after one quarter on 58 percent shooting, 10 assists and nine forced turnovers.
Chicago storms back
An 18-2 Bulls run late in the first half erased the double-digit deficit, and another rally in the fourth quarter sealed the comeback. Rookie Tyrese Proctor scored 14 points for Cleveland, but Thomas Bryant’s potential game-winning layup was blocked with 0.3 seconds remaining. Chicago dominated the boards 51-33.
Cleveland notes
- Hunter debuted as a Cavalier with 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting and seven rebounds in 18 minutes.
- Porter also scored 17, drilling all five of his three-point attempts; Atkinson credited an offseason conditioning push.
- Mobley added 12 points, while Nance and Tomlin scored 11 each.
- Ball went scoreless in 12 minutes in his first appearance against his former team but steadied the second group at point guard.
- Merrill sat out with a minor adductor issue.
“There are things we’re emphasizing—being more active, creating turnovers,” Atkinson said. “We did that tonight, but defensive rebounding really killed us.”
Okoro’s Cleveland return
Former Cavalier Isaac Okoro, now with Chicago, received the loudest ovation of the night during introductions. The 25-year-old guard, who spent his first five NBA seasons in Cleveland, scored 11 points, hit two three-pointers and posted a plus-8 in 18 minutes.
“It was some mixed emotions,” Okoro said. “But it was good seeing the guys.”
Atkinson called him “a coach’s dream,” praising his professionalism and defense. Bulls coach Billy Donovan said Okoro embodies the physical, hustle-oriented style he expects: “We’ve got to be better than the sum of our parts.”
Jazz open camp with point-guard dilemma
In Utah, training camp began with competition at point guard. Isaiah Collier, last season’s late-year starter, returns after shooting 24.9 percent from three and drawing criticism for inconsistent defense. Rookie Walter Clayton Jr.—a 38.6 percent collegiate three-point shooter who led Florida to an NCAA championship—openly declared his intent to win the job. No roles are set for a Jazz roster still searching for its identity.
Source: Hoops Wire
