|
Ty Jerome added 18 points off the bench and
De’Andre Hunter scored 17 for Cleveland, which has the
second-best record in franchise history at 63-16. The Cavaliers
secured the No. 1 seed in the East for the fourth time.
Patrick Williams scored a season-high 21 points and made 5 of 6
3-pointers, and Matas Buzelis added 19 points for Chicago. The
Bulls have clinched a play-in tournament berth and are tied with
Miami for ninth in the East.
Chicago’s top five scorers were not in uniform, including Coby
White (rest), Nikola Vucevic (right calf soreness) and Josh
Giddey (right forearm). Lonzo Ball (right wrist sprain) also was
not available.
Takeaways
Bulls: White, who is averaging team highs of 20.7 points and
33.3 minutes, was rested. Coach Billy Donovan expressed concern
“with the load Coby has had to endure,” but expects White to
play in the final three regular-season games.
Cavaliers: All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell did not
dress for precautionary reasons after spraining his left ankle
Sunday against Sacramento. Coach Kenny Atkinson said Mitchell
will be good to go for the playoffs, but may sit out additional
games.
Key moment
Garland made four 3-pointers in eight minutes during the second
quarter, triggering a 41-21 run that allowed the Cavaliers to
push their lead to 21 points. Cleveland made 10 3-pointers in
the period.
Key stat
White, Vucevic, Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu (left shoulder surgery) and
Kevin Huerter (cervical strain) are averaging a combined 103.0
points for the Bulls, whose season average is 117.8.
Up next
The Bulls visit Miami on Wednesday in a critical game for
seeding. The Cavaliers are at Indiana on Thursday.
|
|
