Chicago Bulls have no answer for Kevin Love and Dwyane Wade in loss
By Dru Berry
The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Chicago Bulls in the United Center on Monday night. The Cavaliers won 113-91 and were powered by Kevin Love and Dwyane Wade.
Dwyane Wade took care of business in his return to the United Center and the team he suited up for last season, the Chicago Bulls. He powered the Cavaliers bench unit in the second and fourth quarters and looked positively spry.
Kris Dunn had an up and down game for the Bulls, sprinkling nice finishes.
Chicago continues to tee off on three pointers, whether they’re going in or not. Chicago finished 9-for-34 from three, which isn’t great.
First Quarter
The first quarter started messy enough for both teams. Neither team could buy a bucket and with 6:17 left the score was 9-7 Bulls. Robin Lopez got off to a nice start, making a put back off his own miss and scoring a layup off a nice Dunn wraparound pass.
The Cavaliers would find their stride however behind LeBron James and Kevin Love. They were apart of seemingly everything Cleveland did, combining for 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Love had a nice pump fake down low to get Lauri Markkanen to leave his feet.
Love hit the shot and the free throw, while Chicago couldn’t hit much of anything and finished the quarter 9-for-25 from the field.
End 1Q: Cavs 29 – Bulls 22
Second Quarter
The Cavaliers carried its offensive momentum into the second quarter. Their bench absolutely roasted the Bulls bench and Cleveland opened the quarter on an 11-0 run to lead 40-22.
Everyone’s favorite former Chicago Bull, Dwyane Wade, scored 10 in the second quarter and made Cristiano Felicio look silly trying to guard him in isolation.
During the 11-0 run Chicago’s offense became anemic. No dribble penetration and nothing going towards the hoop, just jumper after hoisted, contested jumper.
Dunn had a solid quarter and was able to attack the basket with some success. He had a few ugly all-backboard layups, but also had a nice hesitation move for a blow-by past J.R. Smith that ended with an and-1 opportunity. Dunn had a strong take with his right hand as well for a layup.
But Lauri and LeBron ended up stealing the show with back to back spectacular missed dunks.
End 2Q: Cavs 61 – Bulls 45
Third Quarter
Kevin Love decided he would just make everything in the third. The Cavs big man dropped 14 points in the first four and a half minutes of the quarter. Love showcased his full arsenal, nailing two 3s, taking advantage of Dunn in the post and converting two free throws.
Love would score 18 of Cleveland’s 25 points in the quarter.
Dunn scored eight for the Bulls and Justin Holiday added nine, including this ridiculous shot to beat the buzzer.
https://twitter.com/StephNoh/status/937875745506021376
End 3Q: Cavs 86 – Bulls 71
Fourth Quarter
There wasn’t much to see in the fourth with the game in tow for Cleveland, but Wade stuck the knife in deeper and twisted until Chicago was officially dead.
Wade scored 12 in the fourth quarter and even splashed a 3-pointer. He ended the game with 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting and was a +20 for the game. Kinda frustrating if you’re a Bulls fan considering the Wade on the floor tonight looked nothing like the one on the team last season.
Paul Zipser continued to chuck 3s but they just aren’t falling for him and after a couple of solid games from him, Zipser had an awful night. Zip finished a -20 in 15 minutes and went 0-for-3 from behind the arc.
End 4Q: Cavs 113 – Bulls 91.