5 takeaways from Chicago Bulls’ late collapse against Cleveland Cavaliers for their 2nd loss in as many nights

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

This season, the Bulls had been reliable in tight situations, a key factor in their rise within the Eastern Conference. They won all four games where they faced a deficit of five points or fewer in the final five minutes of regulation. These victories required determination and clutch game-winners, boosting their standing significantly.

End of the Winning Streak

That streak ended dramatically in Cleveland. Despite a strong offensive start and building a significant lead, the Bulls could not hold off the Cavaliers’ comeback in the closing minutes.

Strong First-Half Performance

The Cavaliers started with a 7-0 run, but the Bulls tightened their defense in the second quarter.
By halftime, Chicago led by 16 points and extended that to 19 in the second half.

Donovan Mitchell’s Game-Changing Surge

The turning point came as Donovan Mitchell sparked the Cavaliers’ rally. Mitchell had a quiet first half with just three points on 1-for-10 shooting, but his offensive explosion late in the game overwhelmed the Bulls' defense.

"The Bulls, however, knew that could last only so long."

Though the Bulls earned clutch wins earlier in the season through relentless effort, they were unable to contain Mitchell’s resurgence, leading to their collapse.

Summary

The Bulls’ late-game resilience faltered against Cleveland, highlighting the challenge of sustaining leads against star players and marking a turning point in their season.

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Chicago Tribune — 2025-11-09