CLEVELAND — Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vučević each scored 24 points, and the Chicago Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 136-125 victory over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Vučević, who also grabbed 15 rebounds, had 11 points and six boards in the fourth quarter as the Bulls won consecutive games — both against the Cavaliers — for the first time since Nov. 19. They beat the Cavs 127-11 on Wednesday at the United Center.
Seven players scored in double figures for the Bulls. Josh Giddey had 17 points and Tre Jones added 16 off the bench.
Darius Garland scored a season-high 35 for the Cavaliers, who were missing All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell due to illness. All-Star forward Evan Mobley will be sidelined for at least another week with a calf injury.
Rookie guard Tyrese Proctor scored 16 points in his first NBA start, and Nae’Qwan Tomlin had 15 off the bench.
The Cavaliers have dropped three straight and four of five. They’ve also lost five of their last six home games.
The game was tied at 115 before the Bulls took control with a 17-8 run. Vučević had seven points during the spurt, including a go-ahead layup.
The Bulls had a 66-55 lead at halftime and were up 74-60 early in the third quarter before the Cavs fought back with a 27-9 surge. Jarrett Allen had 10 points and four rebounds while Garland scored nine points with four assists during the run.
The Cavaliers scored the game’s first 11 points before the Bulls began to come back with six points on one trip down the floor. Buzelis hit a 3-pointer before Jaylon Tyson received a Flagrant 1 foul. Buzelis hit the free throw and Vucevic added a layup.
Game official Tre Maddox suffered a leg injury at the end of the first quarter, reducing the officiating crew to two the rest of the game: Ray Acosta and Phenizee Ransom.
Up next
Bulls: At the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Cavaliers: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.