5 takeaways from Chicago Bulls’ late collapse against Cleveland Cavaliers for their 2nd loss in as many nights
The Chicago Bulls suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, losing 128–122 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night after a late-game breakdown. For much of the year, the Bulls had been reliable under pressure, priding themselves on their composure in tight finishes.
Before this matchup, the team was undefeated in four games that came down to five points or fewer in the last five minutes of regulation. Each of those contests showcased courage, determination, and a few last-second shots that defined their strong position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
That consistency collapsed in Cleveland. The 128–122 defeat marked their first clutch loss of the season. The disparity between the Bulls’ dominant first half and their late-game unraveling underscored the magnitude of the collapse.
Despite the Cavaliers’ opening 7–0 run, Chicago quickly tightened its defense, seized control in the second quarter, and carried a 16-point lead into halftime. They even extended it to 19 in the second half, seemingly in full command.
However, the tide turned as Donovan Mitchell reignited his offense after a dismal first half. The Cavaliers’ star had scored only three points before halftime, shooting 1-for-10, but his resurgence in the latter stages crushed Chicago’s hopes of closing out another clutch win.
“The severity of the collapse was only sharpened by the contrast of the Bulls’ offensive momentum in the first half.”
Author’s Summary
A dominant start collapsed into a late-game failure for the Bulls, as Donovan Mitchell’s revival and lost composure handed Chicago its second straight defeat.