The Chicago Bulls (25-18) defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers (30-12) 96-83 on Saturday.
Any potential surge that the Cavs may have expected to receive from a fresh start under new coach Tyronn Lue was absent Saturday night, as the struggling Bulls managed to secure a victory in one of the most difficult arenas for road teams in the NBA. Cleveland entered the contest sporting a 16-2 record at Quicken Loans Arena on the season, while Chicago had lost three of their last four. However, the shooting made all of the difference in this one, as the Bulls found their stroke from the field. The Bulls tallied 43.7-and-41.2 percent success rates from the field and three-point range, respectively, while Cleveland mustered 37.2 percent and 16.7 percent figures in those same categories. The visitors also received 22 points from their bench, while the Cavs' reserves could only contribute eight.
Pau Gasol led the way for Chicago with a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double that also included six assists, a steal and a block. Jimmy Butler came within a rebound of a double-double of his own, managing 20 points, hauling in nine boards and dishing out an assist. Taj Gibson pitched in with a season-high 15 points, along with eight rebounds, an assist and a pair of blocks. Derrick Rose was the other starter to post double-digit scoring, pouring in 12 points and adding four rebounds, four assists and a block. Nikola Mirotic led the reserves with a 17-point effort that also included six rebounds, an assist and a steal.
With the victory, the Bulls hold on to second place in the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They face off with the Miami Heat back in Chicago on Monday.
LeBron James looked a tad rejuvenated under his new head coach, posting a 26-point, 13-rebound double-double that was just an assist shy of his first triple-double of the season. J.R. Smith was next in line with his first double-double of the campaign, scoring 18 points and hauling in 11 boards. He also added an assist and a block. Kevin Love, who had posted six double-doubles of his own in his last seven contests, cooled off a bit with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Kyrie Irving was the fourth member of the starting unit to manage double-digit scoring, collecting 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and a block.
Despite the loss, Cleveland remains atop the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They are home again on Monday to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
