© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
What we learned from the Chicago Bulls' spectacular upset win over the Cleveland Cavaliers
After suffering a catastrophic loss to the dismal Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls quickly turned things around and handed the Cleveland Cavaliers a 132-123 loss in double overtime (OT). Here are two takeaways from the pulse-pounding match.
Four Bulls players had double-doubles
Nobody knows where the Bulls got their energy, but they sure played with fervor and intensity against the second-best team in the Eastern Conference. Playing in the second game of a back-to-back, four Bulls players recorded double-doubles—DeMar DeRozan had 35 points and 10 rebounds, Nikola Vucevic put up 24 points and 13 boards, Andre Drummond chimed in with 17 points and 25 rebounds, while Coby White recorded 14 points and 12 assists.
This marked the first time this had happened since Donyell Marshall, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, and Jamal Crawford achieved the feat back in March 2003.
Crunchtime kings
Chicago played in their 34th clutch game this season, winning for the 19th time. Clutch minutes are the last five minutes of a game with a margin of five points or less. As he almost always does, Deebo rose to the occasion, scoring 11 of his 35 points in the two overtimes, including three pressure-packed free throws at the end of the first OT to tie the game up at 115-all.
Deebo also got help from Drummond, whose tip dunk helped the Bulls move out in front, 122-115, with two minutes left in the second OT. Rookie wingman Onuralp Bitim also showed nerves of steel, canning two free throws in the dying seconds to secure the victory for Chicago. Wind City team holds a 6-3 record in overtime games this season—an NBA best.
