Cavs Secure Top Eastern Seed with 135-113 Bulls Victory

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    CLEVELAND — In a dominant performance on Tuesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured the Eastern Conference’s top seed with a decisive 135-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The win was powered by standout efforts from Darius Garland, who delivered a game-high 28 points, and Evan Mobley, who contributed 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists.

    Adding strength to Cleveland’s offensive attack, Ty Jerome chipped in with 18 points from the bench, while De’Andre Hunter added 17 points. This victory brings the Cavaliers to an outstanding 63-16 record, marking the second-best season in their franchise’s history, and earning them the No. 1 seed in the East for the fourth occasion.

    On the Bulls’ side, Patrick Williams led with a season-best performance, scoring 21 points and hitting five out of six from beyond the arc. Matas Buzelis also played a substantial role with 19 points. Despite these efforts, the Bulls, who have clinched a spot in the play-in tournament, find themselves tied with Miami for the ninth spot in the East.

    The Chicago team faced challenges with several of their key players, including Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Josh Giddey, absent from the lineup. Lonzo Ball was similarly unavailable due to a wrist injury.

    Coach Billy Donovan noted resting White, whose contributions have been pivotal, averaging 20.7 points and significant playing time. Donovan anticipates White’s return for the concluding regular-season games.

    Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell sat out the game as a precautionary measure following an ankle sprain. Coach Kenny Atkinson reassured that Mitchell should be ready for the playoffs, although he hinted at the possibility of further rest leading up to them.

    A key moment in the game occurred in the second quarter when Garland knocked down four 3-pointers in an eight-minute span, sparking a 41-21 run. This stretch helped Cleveland open up a substantial 21-point lead as they sunk 10 three-pointers during the quarter.

    Statistically, the absence of White, Vucevic, Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kevin Huerter posed a significant impact, as this group averages a collective 103.0 points, while the team’s season average stands at 117.8.

    Next on the schedule, the Bulls are set to face Miami in a crucial game for playoff seeding on Wednesday, while the Cavaliers will travel to Indiana for a Thursday matchup.