Game Recap: Cavaliers clinch top seed with win over Bulls

David Richard - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Wednesday, April 09 2025

CLEVELAND - Some losses throughout an NBA season you can live with, and Tuesday night was one of those losses for the Chicago Bulls (36-43). Facing off against the top team in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers (63-16), who were looking to lock up the top seed in front of the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, the Bulls not only sat several key players, but four starters as Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Nikola Vucevic and Josh Giddey were all out for this game.

Considering the massive matchup between the Bulls and Heat coming up on Wednesday, you understand the mindset Billy Donovan had by sitting those guys, but that certainly doesn't make things easy for a team that is short-handed looking to win games. It's hard enough to beat the Cavaliers at full strength, but to try and do it down four starters is another challenge in itself.

Even with Cleveland down Donovan Mitchell, the Bulls were still no match as the Cavaliers completed the season sweep of the Bulls 135-113. Despite being down most of their key scorers, the Bulls did a great job keeping things close early, as they trailed 25-24 after one. A big reason for that was the play of Patrick Williams, who came out strong with six first-quarter points as part of his team-high 21.

Those games have been few for him this season, so to have him drop a game like this, even in a losing effort, was a positive. It was in the second quarter that put this game away. The Bulls' lack of scoring was on full display throughout the first half, as the Cavaliers outscored the Bulls by 19 in the second quarter to open up a 20-point halftime lead.

Chicago did come out of the locker room with a strong third-quarter showing, outscoring Cleveland 37-30 to pull within 13, but in the end, the Cavaliers did what they have done to many teams this season and pulled away for the 135-113 win. Along with an excellent performance from Williams was the Bulls lone regular starter as Matas Buzelis continues to do his thing on the floor.

Even if his outshot shot wasn't falling, he still finished with 19 points as his strong rookie season continues. Chicago also benefitted from Talen Horton-Tucker having another massive game off the bench, as he added 17 points and was responsible for nearly half of the Bulls bench scoring. Those were the main three for the Bulls offense, but Chicago still had four of their five starters in double figures as Jalen Smith finished with 13 points and Jevon Carter with 10. Smith also had 10 boards for a double-double, as he has performed well when in the starting lineup.

While the Bulls may have dodged a bullet without Mitchell in the lineup, this Cavaliers team is far more than just him, with Darius Garland leading the way with 28 points. Garland has put together by far his most consistent season as a player, and with his six triples, you started to see that aspect of his game come back.

He was one of three starters to post double-figure production, joining Evan Mobley, who added 21 points and 11 boards. Jarrett Allen rounded out the Cavs' double-digit starters with 12 points in what was otherwise a quiet night for their starters. In fact, comparing both starting units, the Bulls did a great job of hanging with their starting five, which has to be a good sign, knowing what they were missing.

Ultimately, this came down to the bench. Although Horton-Tucker had 17 points, the Cavaliers had two players who matched that output, with Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter combining for 35 points. Jerome led the bench with 18, with Hunter adding 17. The two combined to make five of the Cavaliers' 25 triples in what was another dominating win.

Chicago will now set their sights on arguably their biggest and most important game of the season as they host the Miami Heat on Wednesday for the second leg of a back-to-back. Both these teams are tied record-wise in the standings, but with a win, the Bulls can bury them and host the play-in round.