Cavaliers Fall to Bulls in December Storm
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The December storm continued to disrupt the Cavaliers.
The shorthanded Cavs suffered their third consecutive loss and eighth in the last 11 games, falling at home to the Chicago Bulls, 136-125, on Friday night.
Despite Chicago’s overall record of 12-15, they secured three wins since November 23, with two victories against the struggling Cavs in just two days. Cleveland is now 15-14 this season, sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Coach’s Concerns
“This style of play has hurt us this year,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. “We need to examine it closely. Many teams in the East play like this, and we struggled to contain them tonight.”
Game Highlights and Struggles
With only 10 players available, the Cavs launched the game with a spirited 11-0 run, fueled by first-time starter Tyrese Proctor, who scored six points during this stretch. However, this was among the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing game.
By the 6:45 mark of the first quarter, the Bulls had tied the game. They eventually took control with a 15-5 run to end the second quarter, going into halftime with an 11-point lead.
Close Yet Far
As boos erupted from the crowd late in the third quarter, the Cavs briefly regained the lead, thanks to a spirited response. However, this lead vanished in just over a minute.
Even after scoring 44 points in the third quarter and outpacing the Bulls, the Cavs ended the period down by two. They managed to tie the game at 115 with a long-range shot from Darius Garland, but Chicago finished strong with a 21-10 run, leading to more frustrated jeers from the home crowd.
Injury Woes
The Cavs were without key players due to illness and injuries, including Donovan Mitchell and Craig Porter Jr. They even arranged for two-way forward Luke Travers to fly in last-minute from the G League, where he scored four points in his brief time on the court.
Next Steps
Despite the loss, Garland achieved a season-high 35 points, supported by Proctor with 16 points. The team received strong performances, but the defense faltered, allowing the Bulls to dominate with 52% shooting.
As they prepare for a break before facing Charlotte at Rocket Arena on Monday night, the Cavs hope to weather this storm and regain their footing.
