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. This marked a rare late-game breakdown for a team that had been reliable in clutch moments.
Bulls’ Clutch Performance Until Now
Throughout the season, the Bulls had established themselves as a strong team in tight games, particularly in the final minutes. They won all four games this season when trailing by five points or fewer in the last five minutes of regulation. These victories often came down to gritty effort and last-second shots, fueling their impressive rise in the Eastern Conference standings.
Late-Game Collapse Against the Cavaliers
Saturday’s game ended the Bulls’ streak of clutch success. Despite a dominant first half, where they overcame an early 7-0 run by the Cavaliers and led by 16 points at halftime, the Bulls could not hold on. Their lead even grew to 19 points in the second half before unraveling late.
Donovan Mitchell’s Second-Half Surge
The collapse was largely due to a sudden offensive explosion from Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell struggled initially, scoring just three points on 1-for-10 shooting in the first half. However, his resurgence overwhelmed the Bulls in the final minutes.
“The Bulls knew that [Mitchell's poor first half shooting] could last only so long.”
This comeback by Mitchell shifted momentum dramatically, exposing the Bulls’ vulnerabilities down the stretch.
Summary
The Bulls’ early dominance and late defensive lapses combined with Donovan Mitchell’s clutch scoring led to their second consecutive loss, highlighting the challenges they must overcome to maintain their standing.
Author’s summary: The Chicago Bulls’ first back-to-back defeat of the season spotlighted their late-game struggles and Donovan Mitchell’s pivotal comeback, raising questions about their ability to close tight games consistently.