Chicago—DeMar DeRozan stepped up in clutch moments while Andre Drummond dominated the boards, propelling the Chicago Bulls past one of the Eastern Conference’s formidable teams.
DeRozan showcased his scoring prowess with 35 points, while Drummond’s commanding presence resulted in 26 rebounds, guiding the Bulls to a hard-fought 132-123 double-overtime victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
In an intense 10-minute extension, DeRozan poured in 16 crucial points, aiding the Bulls in rebounding from a defeat against the low-ranked Detroit Pistons just a night before.
Nikola Vucevic contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 21 points to the Bulls’ effort. Drummond not only scored 17 points but also played a pivotal role in helping the Bulls set an NBA season-high with 74 rebounds.
“It just speaks to this team; we continue to fight,” Drummond remarked. “Yesterday, we let our guard down a little bit. We knew what we did wrong. Tonight, we played a team that was very high in the standings and came out ready to play.”
The Cavaliers, fresh off a thrilling 121-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks, led by Evan Mobley’s 25 points and 13 rebounds, couldn’t replicate their success despite a commendable effort. Darius Garland’s 23 points, including seven 3-pointers, and Donovan Mitchell’s 19 points were not enough to secure a victory.
DeRozan’s missed turnaround jumper at the end of regulation, with the score tied at 103, didn’t deter his resolve. He converted three crucial free throws to force the first overtime and orchestrated an 8-0 run at the start of the second overtime.
Driving for a layup and sinking a crucial 3-pointer, DeRozan propelled the Bulls to a 120-115 lead. Drummond’s tip-in dunk and DeRozan’s free throw extended the lead to eight, ultimately sealing the Bulls’ hard-earned victory.
Though the Cavaliers held a 114-110 lead in the first overtime, the Bulls fought back relentlessly. DeRozan’s layup and subsequent free throws tied the game once more, sending it into a second overtime.
Despite the Cavaliers’ promising lead of 89-78 early in the fourth quarter, the Bulls mounted an impressive comeback. Vucevic’s three-pointer gave the Bulls a slim lead of 98-97, only for Mitchell’s step-back 3-pointer to tie it again at 100-all.
Drummond’s put-back brought the Bulls within one point, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to regulation. The game headed to overtime after a series of missed opportunities from both teams.
The absence of guard Alex Caruso, sidelined due to a strained right hamstring, was notable for the Chicago Bulls. Coach Billy Donovan expressed uncertainty about Caruso’s return to the lineup, dependent on his response to treatment.
Next Up:
Cavaliers: Face Detroit on Friday night.
Bulls: Host Milwaukee on Friday night.
