It's hard to imagine that this meeting would seem like a trap for the Riderslooking for a twelfth victory in a row. Struggling at home before the match (1v-3d), the Bulls However, they are coming off a success in Atlanta after four losses in a row.
The first quarter is quite competitive. Nikola Vucevic is skilful under the circle, but Darius Garland is on the lookout for loose opposing balls. After a solo dunk from the leader, it was Donovan Mitchell who set the tone from afar twice. Josh Giddey, through clever drives then behind the arc, allows the Bulls to stay in the game.
Chicago even takes the advantage through Vucevic at 3-points then Zach Lavine who infiltrates the opposing defense. But the Cavs are picking up thanks to Ty Jerome, skillful from afar. Ayo Dosunmu concludes this first quarter with a slight lay-up Jordanesque and the Bulls lead by one point (35-34) against a Mitchell already on fire (14 points).
The former Jazz star continues his 3-point work (5 out of 10). The Bulls stay in and Julian Philipps counters Evan Mobley to give Patrick Williams an easy basket. Mitchell, always, remains skillful from afar and imitates Ja Morant with a magnificent 360 “lay-up” on the Bulls defense. The Cavs take a ten-point lead but Zach Lavine, confident, brings Chicago back together with two inspired midranges. Coby White also decides to adjust the sights from afar. After a first 3-pointer, the leader scored a logo shot to which Mitchell responded with his 25th point of the match. Lavine scores his first shot from behind the arc, but Garland responds automatically with a “drive” awarded with a foul. At the break, it was the Cavaliers' turn to lead by one point (57-56).
LaVine in full show
At the restart, Cleveland misses too many shots and Chicago takes the opportunity to regain the advantage. White scores his 5th shot from distance and Vucevic is well found by Giddey under the circle. The Bulls' good defense pushes Kenny Atkinson to take a timeout. Cleveland is forced to make mistakes to kill the opposing counter-attacks, and it is ultimately Caris Levert then Dean Wade who allow the Cavs to regain the advantage by artillery from afar.
At -6, the United Center crowd is pushing and dreams of seeing the Bulls bring down the only undefeated players in the league. But the Cavs bench secures the lead like Georges Niang who rewards the efforts of Donovan Mitchell in organizing the attack. Vucevic remains alert and concludes under the circle before Dalen Terry brings the Bulls back to -3 via a counterattack initiated by Ayo Dosunmu. Mitchell remained calm and even broke his season points record by scoring his 32nd point of the night. But the Cavaliers have a few cold sweats, since the show Zach Lavine starts.
Whether from a distance, in “fade-away” or via a magnificent “lay-up” while extending under the hoop, the rear/winger gives everything and the Bulls get back to the score: 106-106! Unmissable in normal times for him, Mitchell misses the “dunk” of the match, but LeVert finally gives the Cavs the advantage by remaining skillful from afar (2/4). Garland, not very skillful (7/17), recovers and destroys any opposing hope with an isolation on Vucevic, concluded while extending. The Bulls try to come back, but the seconds tick by and the buzzer resounds. 119-113, Chicago fought well, but the Cavs remain undefeated!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– 12th victory in a row for the Cavaliers! Despite a match that looked like a trap, Kenny Atkinson's players were able to remain calm and sure of their strength at the very end of the match. At 12-0, Cleveland is now fourth in the rankings for best starts in history, behind the Warriors (2015), the Mavericks (2002) and the Celtics (1953). History is in the making in Ohio.
– Season record for Donovan Mitchell. By scoring 36 points, the former Louisville player set his record for points this season and even allowed himself to do the same on the rebound with 8 catches. The Cavalier was able to erase the wanderings of his teammate Darius Garland, in difficulty this evening on shots but “clutch” despite everything.
– Chicago gave everything. With three major five players with more than twenty points, Nikola Vucevic (20), Coby White (20) and Zach Lavine (26) will have tried everything, each in their own register. Zach Lavine's fourth quarter (11 points) had the merit of making the Cavaliers pale, but with 20 turnovers, the Bulls never managed to increase each of their lead in the score.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
