The Chicago Bulls faced a 109-91 defeat against the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. This marks the Cavaliers’ sixth consecutive victory in matchups against the Bulls.
Coach Billy Donovan acknowledged that the Cavaliers outworked the Bulls in the game. He pointed out areas where the Bulls struggled, including defensive rebounding, blocking out, and poor shooting (42.2%).
The game saw a turning point in the final half of the third quarter when Coach Donovan introduced the rarely-used pairing of Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond. This adjustment helped the Bulls make a comeback, turning a 21-point deficit into a one-possession game.
Ayo Dosunmu’s Injury
Ayo Dosunmu, who had a significant impact in the Bulls’ comeback, unfortunately re-aggravated a left shoulder injury that had him on the injury report pregame. Dosunmu had to exit the game for good with 9:12 remaining.
Cavaliers’ 3-Point Shooting
The Cavaliers outscored the Bulls by 33 points from beyond the arc, attempting an opponent-season-high 57 three-pointers. The Bulls struggled to defend against the Cavaliers’ 3-point shooting and lost the lead with self-induced errors like quick rushed shots and turnovers.
Individual Performances:
Nikola Vucevic continued to struggle with his 3-point shooting, entering the game with a 28% success rate.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers scored 34 points and recorded seven assists, showcasing his dominance in this series.
Coby White, who committed seven turnovers in the game, acknowledged the need to be better overall, especially in managing the game and avoiding turnovers.
The Bulls faced defensive challenges, allowing at least 39 points in a quarter for the third straight game. Coach Donovan emphasized the need for better competition, focus, and defensive execution.
Injury Updates:
Max Strus played limited minutes due to right knee soreness, listed as a gametime decision.
Patrick Williams missed his second straight game due to lingering right ankle and heel soreness.
Upcoming Game:
The Bulls will play their next game on Thursday in Toronto, and Ayo Dosunmu expressed hope to play despite the shoulder injury.
The game recap highlights the Bulls’ struggles, the impact of key players, and the challenges faced against the Cavaliers. The Bulls will look to regroup and improve in their upcoming games.
Comments