Cavs return to winning column with rout of depleted Bulls

Healthy Cavs turn the table on depleted Bulls team

The Cleveland Cavaliers successfully halted a two-game skid while fending off an erstwhile red-hot Chicago Bulls team, winners of their previous four games. Capitalizing on both homecourt advantage and a healthier roster, the Cavs blew out Chicago, 115-92.

Darius Garland bounced back from a rough shooting performance to lead the charge against the Bulls with 24 points and six assists, while Cleveland’s Tower City mounted another balanced attack.

Rookie sensation Evan Mobley had16 points, nine boards, and five monster blocks while frontcourt partner Jarrett Allen added a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Lauri Markkanen and Kevin Love also chipped in with a combined 25 points after nailing half of their shots from deep.

Following a closely-fought opening quarter, the Cavaliers managed to break free in the second period and never looked back, even racing to lead by as much as 26 points late to cement the landslide win.

The Cavs will look to mount another win streak

Despite coming off two-straight losses, Cleveland’s young squad remained unfazed against the streaking, albeit depleted Central Division rivals.

For once, the Cavaliers were favored to win over a serious playoff contender, owing to the fact that their opponents were missing key players such as leading-scorer Demar Derozan (health and safety protocols), Alex Caruso (hamstring), and a couple of other rotation.

Cleveland has faced a similar situation before this season, and they know as well as anyone that beasts backed into a corner are just as dangerous.

Even having to play against an undermanned team, the Cavs still had to face and overcome Bulls All-Stars Zach Lavine (23 points, nine assists), Nic Vucevic (18 points, 12 boards), and rising star Lonzo Ball (19 points, seven assists).

Now back up to two games above .500, the Cavaliers will look to mount another win streak as they continue to hunt for a potential playoff/play-in spot.

The Cavs’ brutal schedule does not get much easier going forward, however, as they face another set of back-to-back matches: first on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Dec. 10), before returning home to host the Sacramento Kings (Dec. 11).