Cavs Starters Look Strong in Preseason Loss to Bulls

Ayo Dosunmu led six Bulls in double-figures with 16 points off the bench, going 6-of-14 from the floor and adding four boards in the win. 

The Cavaliers play their next preseason game on the road – traveling to Boston on Sunday night – before returning to Rocket Arena for the final tune-up next Tuesday night against the Pistons. 

The Cavaliers dropped their second straight preseason game, dropping another decision to the Bulls, but they still saw what they needed to – with three starters topping the 20-point plateau and another strong effort from the bench. 

Thursday night’s finish at the United Center wasn’t as dramatic as Tuesday’s, with Chicago pulling away late for the 119-112 victory. Luke Travers canned a triple to tie the score at 110-apiece with just under two minutes to play, but the Bulls closed the contest on a 9-2 run to seal the deal.

Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 22 points in 25 minutes of work – going 8-for-16 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from deep, adding six boards, four assists, a game-high three steals and a block. 

Evan Mobley tallied double-figures for the second straight game, following up with 21 points, five boards and a pair of blocks, going 6-of-10 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the stripe. 

After netting 17 points in the preseason opener on Tuesday, De’Andre Hunter was good again in the Windy City – finishing with 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including an impressive 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, adding a pair of boards and pair of swats in 24 minutes of action. 

Jaylon Tyson got the start across from Donovan Mitchell and finished with six points, four boards, three assists and a pair of steals. And while Jarrett Allen didn’t have his best shooting night – finishing with four points on 1-of-6 shooting, he did block a game-high four shots, equaling Chicago’s team total. 

The Bulls led by three at half, but the Cavaliers’ 39-point third quarter got them to within one heading to the fourth. Chicago led throughout the quarter until Travers’ bomb tied the affair late. 

Travers and Dean Wade both led Cleveland’s second unit with eight points apiece. Travers was 3-for-5 from the floor overall; Wade, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. Thomas Bryant came off the bench to hit all three field goal attempts, finishing with seven points and five boards in just six minutes of work.