Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs surged in the fourth quarter last night at the United Center, edging out the Chicago Bulls 119-113. This victory boosts them to a flawless 12-0 record this season.
Mitchell’s First-Half Magic
Mitchell was on fire from the get-go. He dropped 25 points in the first half alone, sinking five shots from beyond the arc. One highlight that had everyone talking? A jaw-dropping 360-degree layup he nailed midway through the second quarter. It was the kind of play that makes you jump out of your seat.
Bulls’ Third Quarter Push
The Bulls weren’t just gonna roll over. In the third quarter, they clawed their way to a nine-point lead after Ayo Dosunmu knocked down a pair of free throws. But the Cavs weren’t having it. They went on an 11-2 run, tying things up in a flash. Chicago managed just two field goals in the last six minutes of the quarter, giving Cleveland a three-point edge heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter Showdown
Midway through the final period, Zach LaVine hit a smooth fadeaway jumper to tie the game again. But the Cavs hit the gas pedal. Evan Mobley threw down an easy alley-oop, and Mitchell snagged a quick layup off a steal by Ty Jerome. That sparked a 9-2 run, and suddenly, the Cavs were cruising. They kept the Bulls at bay, sealing the six-point win.
- The Cavs turned 20 Bulls turnovers into 35 points.
Standout Performances
Mitchell didn’t let up, finishing with 36 points and eight rebounds. He was lethal from deep, hitting 7-of-16 three-pointers. Darius Garland chipped in with 17 points and five assists, while Mobley added a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.
On the other side, LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points and six rebounds. Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and eight rebounds, and Coby White contributed 20 points, drilling five shots from downtown.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | 36 | 8 | 2 |
| Darius Garland | 17 | – | 5 |
| Evan Mobley | 15 | 11 | – |
What’s Next for Cleveland?
The Cavaliers are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers this Wednesday. A win there would match the longest winning streak in franchise history. Sure, every streak ends eventually, but right now, Mitchell and the crew are making a strong case as contenders in the Eastern Conference.
Cleveland fans have a lot to be excited about. This is already the best start in team history, and they’re the first squad since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors to kick off a season this hot. And let’s not forget, the Cavs took down those very Warriors in the NBA Finals that year.
