CLEVELAND (AP) — Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vucevic each scored 24 points as the Chicago Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 136-125 victory over the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
Vucevic, who also grabbed 15 rebounds, had 11 points and six rebounds in the fourth quarter as the Bulls won back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 19.
Seven players scored in double figures for Chicago. Josh Giddey scored 17 points and Tre Jones added 16 points off the bench.
Darius Garland scored 35 points for Cleveland, which was missing All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell due to illness. All-Star forward Evan Mobley will miss at least another week with a calf injury.
Rookie guard Tyrese Proctor scored 16 points in his first NBA start, and Nae'Quan Tomlin had 15 points off the bench.
The Cavaliers have lost three straight and four of five. They have also lost five of their last six home games.
The game was tied at 115 before Chicago took control with a 17-8 run. Vucevic scored seven points in the spurt, including the go-ahead goal.
Chicago led 66-55 at halftime and went up 74-60 early in the third quarter before Cleveland stormed back with a 27-9 lead. Jarrett Allen had 10 points and four rebounds, and Garland had nine points and four assists during the run.
Cleveland scored the first 11 points of the game before Chicago began to come back with six points in one trip down the court. Bouzelis hit a 3-pointer before Jaylon Tyson was fouled. Buzelis converted the free kick and Vucevic added a pass.
Game official Tre Maddox injured his leg late in the first quarter, reducing the officiating crew to two for the rest of the game: Ray Acosta and Phenizee Ransom.
Next
Bulls: Sunday at Atlanta Hawks Stadium.
Cavaliers: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
