5 Takeaways from Chicago Bulls’ Late Collapse Against Cleveland Cavaliers
The Chicago Bulls suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season, falling 128-122 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
Steady in the Clutch Until Now
Throughout the season, the Bulls had been reliable in close games, a point of pride as they aimed to reshape their reputation in the Eastern Conference. They won all four games this season that were decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes.
- These victories showcased guts and clutch game-winning plays.
- They fueled the Bulls’ surprising ascent to the top of the conference standings.
End of the Late-Game Success
Saturday’s loss in Cleveland ended the Bulls’ run of success in crunch time, marking their first clutch defeat of the season.
Strong Start, Weak Finish
The collapse was highlighted by the contrast in performance:
- The Bulls’ offense surged in the first half despite the Cavaliers starting with a 7-0 run.
- They tightened their defense in the second quarter to carry a 16-point lead into halftime.
- That advantage grew to 19 points in the second half.
Donovan Mitchell’s Resurgence
The Bulls initially contained Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, who scored just three points in the first half on 1-for-10 shooting. However, his sudden scoring burst in the second half overwhelmed the Bulls.
"The Bulls, however, knew that could last only so long."
Despite a strong start and maintaining clutch composure all season, the Bulls faltered under late pressure as Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to a comeback victory.