Mitchell Leads Cavs’ Late Run In 128-122 Win Over Bulls
Donovan Mitchell led a 12-0 Cleveland Cavaliers run to pull ahead late in a 128-122 win over the Chicago Bulls. Mitchell scored 26 of his 29 points in the second half to pull the Cavs out of a 19-point deficit and put his team in the lead with just 33.4 seconds to go in the game. Here’s what went down in Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Saturday night.
Mitchell’s Big Finish
Mitchell missed nine of his ten shots in the first half, but he caught fire after the break. He scored 13 points in the third quarter, including three three-pointers. Then, late in the fourth quarter, Mitchell scored eight straight points in a 65-second span, culminating with a driving layup on Nikola Vucevic that resulted in a three-point play to give the Cavaliers the lead with 33.4 seconds to go. Cleveland then put the game on ice with clutch free throws in the waning seconds to pull out the victory.
Mitchell had six rebounds and six assists to go with his 29 points. De’Andre Hunter had a season-high 29 points as well, and Evan Mobley pitched in 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists. With Darius Garland out nursing his surgically repaired toe, 2024 first-round pick Jaylon Tyson picked up another start and added 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Bulls’ Second-Half Collapse
Chicago led 72-56 at the half, but they could not stop the Cavaliers in the third quarter. Cleveland roared back, outscoring the Bulls 40-26 in the frame. Chicago closed the game going 6-for-19 from the field in the final quarter and now has lost three of four after starting the season 5-0.
Former Cav Isaac Okoro led seven Bulls in double-figures with 19 points. Backup center Jalen Smith was a beast off the bench, contributing 18 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and a block in just 18 minutes. Chicago’s starting backcourt of Tre Jones (17 points, six rebounds) and Josh Giddey (15 points, nine rebounds, six assists) went a combined 8-for-27 from the field and 0-for-6 from three, but hit 16-of-17 of their free throws.
What’s Up Next?
After their fourth straight win, Cleveland (7-3) heads to Miami for a Monday night game against the Heat (6-4). The Bulls (6-3) head home to Chicago for a Monday matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (7-2).
