Box Score & Player Grades: Cavaliers 128, Bulls 122 – November 8, 2025
Less than two minutes into the Chicago Bulls' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, coach Billy Donovan called a timeout. The Bulls fell behind 7-0 quickly after De’Andre Hunter hit a three-pointer.
Both teams were coming off NBA Cup games less than 24 hours earlier. Cleveland had scored 148 points against the Wizards and rested their starters in the second half. Evan Mobley stood out early, scoring 11 of Cleveland’s first 22 points.
Despite the slow start, the Bulls didn’t lose composure. Their depth showed strong in the first quarter’s final minutes when Donovan turned to his bench. Chicago closed the quarter with a 14-8 run, cutting the deficit to a single possession.
The second quarter started with Ayo Dosunmu scoring an and-one layup, giving the Bulls the lead and momentum. Jalen Smith played a crucial role in this comeback, scoring 11 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and providing 3 assists in just 11 minutes. By halftime, Smith had a remarkable +22 plus/minus, helping Chicago’s bench outscore Cleveland’s second unit 35-14.
As the half progressed, Cleveland’s offense struggled, missing 13 consecutive three-point attempts at one stretch.
“This team’s biggest strength has been its depth, and this proved itself again toward the end of the first quarter.”
The bench contributions and momentum shifts defined the early game between these two closely matched teams.
Author’s summary: The Bulls’ depth and bench play fueled a strong comeback against a rested Cavaliers team, though Cleveland’s hot start set an intense pace for the game.