The Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in a thrilling preseason game with a final score of 118-117. Read more!

The Chicago Bulls narrowly escaped the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 118-117 victory in their first preseason game. This preseason opener unfolded as many expected, with frequent turnovers and experimental lineups. The Bulls played at Rocket Arena without last season’s 20-point-per-game scorer, Coby White, who is nursing an ankle injury before the regular season. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were also missing key players: Darius Garland, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill. Both teams proceeded with caution, given their high expectations for the regular season.

Preseason basketball is not the optimal time to form judgments about a team’s play, but there were alarming moments when it was clear the Bulls were not in the same league as the Cavaliers.

Cleveland’s D’Andre Hunter and Evan Mobley set the tone early, using a more physical approach on both ends of the court. Donovan Mitchell also made his presence felt, even without putting up big numbers. Their win does not mean they played poorly throughout the game; rather, it suggests they have significant work ahead if they want to become a more physical team. They may have just been shaking off their offseason rust.

Positive Takeaways

Two early standouts were Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis. There was a noticeable difference when Dosunmu entered the game, as he scored 10 of his 12 points in his first six minutes on the floor. Buzelis, meanwhile, did not back down from his tough matchup with Evan Mobley. Beyond these two hometown kids, every Bull made a case for themselves to receive regular-season minutes.

Zach Collins scored 16 points, thanks in part to Yuki Kawamura, who set him up near the basket and behind the arc. Even rookie Noa Essengue showcased his knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. Most impressive was the team’s resilience—they never gave up, even when trailing by a significant margin. This determination marks a welcome change compared to previous seasons.

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Areas of Improvement

The Bulls’ most glaring issue was their excessive turnovers, finishing with 26 compared to Cleveland’s 15. This turnover trend may persist throughout the regular season, a likely consequence of the uptempo offense Billy Donovan favors. Additionally, Josh Giddey struggled to assert himself physically, shooting just one-for-four on the night. Giddey only played the first half as he also had some lingering injury concerns.

While preseason results aren’t definitive, these areas warrant attention as the regular season approaches.