© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls pull off an incredible double-overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers
After losing to the NBA’s worst team on Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls played the second game of a back-to-back set and pulled off the gutsiest win of the season, defeating the Eastern Conference’s second-best squad, the Cleveland Cavaliers in double-overtime, 132-123, in front of a jubilant United Center crowd on Wednesday night.
Down by as many as 12 points, Chicago came roaring back in regulation and took over in the second extra session to pull off the victory and prop their record to 28-31. DeMar DeRozan had 35 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Nikola Vucevic had 24 points, 13 boards, five dimes, two steals, and two blocks.
Ayo Dosunmu had 21 points even as Andre Drummond, back in the starting lineup with Alex Caruso sidelined due to a hamstring injury, produced a massive double-double of 17 points and 26 rebounds. Coby White, still mired in a shooting slump, nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 12 assists, and eight boards.
They didn’t let up
The Bulls looked out of it as they trailed 89-78 with 10 minutes to go in the fourth. But Chicago didn’t let up and tied the game up at 103-all after Vooch made one of two from the line with 38 seconds left. Deebo had a shot to win the game but missed a 21-foot jumper right before the fourth-quarter buzzer sounded.
In the first overtime, Cleveland appeared to be on the verge of wrapping the win up as they led 114-110 with only 26 seconds remaining. But DeRozan canned a layup while Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell split his charities for a 115-112 lead. Deebo then drew a foul from Cavs center Jarrett Allen as he was shooting a triple and made all three free throws to tie the game up at 115-all and second the thrilling match to another overtime.
Finished the Cavs off
Deebo kicked off the second overtime with another layup and a triple to put Chicago ahead 120-115. A thunderous putback slam by Drummond and another free throw by DeRozan gave the Bulls a 123-115 lead—one that held until the final buzzer.
It was a sorry loss for the Cavs, which were coming off a stunning 121-119 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, thanks to a 59-foot three-pointer that Max Strus made right before the final buzzer.
