115-110 Nail-Biter Against the Bulls

*** The Cavaliers eventually got out of the Windy City with a win, but the Bulls made them sweat it out.

Cleveland led by 29 points late in the third quarter and by 20 heading into the fourth before Chicago stormed back late, getting to within a single point with 3:33 to play in regulation. But Sam Merrill answered with a triple on the next possession, and James Harden’s bucket with 32 seconds remaining helped seal the deal as the Wine & Gold won their second straight – a 115-110 nail-biter on Thursday night at United Center. 

The Cavs – playing without Donovan Mitchell, out with a left eye contusion – took a 10-point lead Harden’s free throws to end the first quarter and kept a double-digit edge until midway through the fourth. But the Bulls began the final period with a 29-10 surge that got them to within striking distance. Chicago got to within a single possession on Guerschon Yabusele’s layup with four seconds to play, but Dennis Schröder sank a pair of free throws to ice the season split. 

Harden posted his high-scoring mark as a Cavalier, finishing with a game-best 36 points, going 10-for-23 from the floor, including 7-for-13 from long-range and 9-of-11 from the stripe, adding a team-high nine assists, seven rebounds and a block. 

“(Harden) kind of started us off, hitting all those shots, tough shots, and-1s,” said Evan Mobley. “He was doing what he’s been doing since he got in the league, so having a guy like that is definitely beneficial. He did what Harden does.”

Mobley registered his third straight double-double with 26 points and a game-high 14 boards – six off the offensive glass – to go with three assists and a steal. Over his last four outings, the 5^th-year big man from USC is averaging 25.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per. 

Jaylon Tyson moved back into the starting lineup for the first time since March 3, and had his best outing since then, netting his seventh double-double of the year, chipping in with 18 points and 11 rebounds, going 8-for-14 from the floor, adding three assists and a block. 

Sam Merrill was the only other Cavalier in double-figures, finishing with 13 points, going 3-of-8 from long-range and leading Cleveland with a pair of blocked shots. 

Dennis Schröder led Cleveland’s second unit with nine points, going 6-of-6 from the stripe, while Max Strus came off the bench to grab six boards to go with a pair of steals, but struggled from the floor. Keon Ellis played a rock-solid floor game, finishing with eight points, three assists, three steals and a block. 

Tre Jones led six Bulls in double-figures with 20 points and Rob Dillingham led all reserves with 17 points. Josh Giddey handed out 19 assists, most against the Wine and Gold this season, second-best mark in the league in 2025-26. 

*** The Wine & Gold wrap up their three-game roadie on Saturday night, traveling to New Orleans for a matchup with the Pelicans. From there, it’s three straight at Rocket Arena – welcoming the Magic to town on Tuesday night before two consecutive meetings with Miami, on Wednesday and Friday night. The following week, the Cavs embark on their final West Coast trip of the season, with stops in Utah, L.A. and Golden State on the docket.