Chicago Bulls underestimate Cleveland Cavaliers in 104-101 loss

The Chicago Bulls underestimated the Cleveland Cavaliers today at the United Center. Here’s what happened.

A series of late turnovers cost the Chicago Bulls during Sunday’s 104-101 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The game remained primarily close throughout regulation with 13 ties and 22 lead changes.

From an energy and grit standpoint, the Bulls needed to beat the Cavaliers. Getting a win has its benefits for rebuilding teams. Not only does it help foster a winning culture, but also it allows young core players to develop their skills and confidence.

Both teams entered the game with one of the league’s bottom four records.

While both teams have players sidelined with injuries, the Bulls were favored, by many, to win. Leading up to tipoff, the Bulls were up 3-0 in its regular season series with the Cavaliers.

The game, however, did not go according to plan. Sunday’s loss leaves the Bulls jockeying for position with the Phoenix Suns for the third-worst record.

Let’s breakdown some quarter by quarter highlights to help identify what went wrong.

First Quarter:

The game got underway shortly after 2:30 p.m. with Robin Lopez and Wayne Selden Jr. inserted into the starting lineup in place of injured rookies Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison.

The Cavaliers weren’t exactly playing at full strength, either. Most notably, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson were sidelined with injuries.

It appears the Bulls were ready to put on a well-rounded effort to get a win. All the starters scored at least 2 points. This didn’t stop the Cavaliers from getting off to a hot start of their own, though. Cedi Osman, Alec Burks and Collin Sexton made it look easy shooting deep from beyond the arc.

Several lead changes were exchanged in the early going.

The Bulls were able to keep the game close, in part, from getting high percentage shots in the paint.

Second Quarter:

With defensive lapses, the Bulls continued to underestimate the Cavaliers and their ability to shoot from deep. The Cavaliers completed 7 of 13 shots from the three-point line through the first quarter and initial five minutes of the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Bulls shot 3 of 9 from the three-point line.

Still, the Bulls received a well-rounded effort. Zach LaVine closed the second quarter with 10 points. Robin Lopez, Wayne Selden Jr. and Lauri Markkanen scored 8 points each.

Both teams benefited from production off the bench. Bulls forward Jabari Parker made the most of his time by scoring 8 points in 8 minutes. Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson provided a scoring punch off the bench with 9 points to end the first half.

The Bulls would lead 53-51 at halftime.

Third quarter:

The Bulls hit a little adversity as the third quarter got underway. The Cavaliers at one point led by as many as 6 points.

Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova became a serviceable option at point guard with Sexton getting rest. On top of hitting a few timely shots, Dellavedova demonstrated good floor leadership and vision. Arguably, the Cavaliers played its best ball with Sexton on the bench.

The Bulls managed to keep the game close, even as Parker did not get any playing time during this stretch.

Both teams had four players with at least 10 points during the third quarter.

The Bulls and Cavaliers were tied at 79 to close the period.

Fourth quarter:

Jabari Parker re-entered the game at the start of the fourth quarter in hopes of giving the Bulls a scoring punch off the bench. The problem is the Bulls still went through some scoring droughts at times giving the Cavaliers momentum.

The Cavaliers created an 8 point lead, which became the team’s largest marginal gain during the game.

Despite a poor showing early on, Bulls guard Kris Dunn pressured Sexton into turning over the ball with just north of five minutes left in regulation, allowing the Bulls to tie the game at 94.

The Cavaliers started playing smart basketball down the stretch. Sexton was substituted out of the lineup for Dellavedova. That decision appeared to play into the hands of the Cavaliers.

As the game neared its end, the Bulls couldn’t take care of the basketball. Officials flagged Dunn for traveling, which gave him his second turnover of the game. With just under two minutes left, LaVine turned the ball over for the fourth time. Burks would proceed to put the Cavaliers up by 1 point with 17 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Bulls tried to make a comeback but fell short when Dunn attempted a wild shot with his defender in good position to contest it. What’s more is Dellavedova would get fouled and complete two free throws to give the Cavaliers 104-101 lead.

The Bulls had a chance to tie the game one last time. Things wouldn’t go according to plan. LaVine got a good look at the basket in the closing seconds only to misfire.

Next up, the Bulls will hit the road to face the Brooklyn Nets.