Bulls Shake Off Slow Start, Win Preseason Opener vs. Cavaliers

The Chicago Bulls opened their 2024 preseason campaign against the Cleveland Cavaliers with new roster additions and coaching staff changes. Chicago's effort in Tuesday's game was frequently uneven in the first half and markedly consistent in the second half.

However, it wouldn't be a Bulls game without a clutch-game scenario, meaning the score separated by five or fewer points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter. Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis, thanks to his confident shot contest Craig Porter Jr.'s last-second three-point attempt, was the clutch hero the Bulls needed to secure a 116-112 victory over the Cavaliers.

Matas Buzelis Has Arrived

Matas Buzelis finished the game with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and a flurry of dazzling plays.

In transition opportunities, Buzelis either hammered the rim or used his good court vision to make plays in fast-break offensive possessions.

The sample size is small, but Buzelis's performance in Cleveland made a strong case for regular rotation minutes when the Bulls reach the regular season.

Bulls Guards On Parade

Unsurprisingly, the Bulls guard room contributed heavily to the preseason victory. Ayo Donsunmu checked into the game for the first time at the 7:14 mark of the first quarter while the Bulls were struggling through a flat start against the Cavaliers. Dosunmu made an immediate impact on defense by stealing the ball from Donovan Mitchell and converting a transition dunk. The Illinois product finished the game with 10 points.

Josh Giddey struggled offensively in the first half shooting 1/4 from the field but found his scoring rhythm in the second half as he went 4/7 from the field and finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Coby White was the Bulls' leading scorer with 21 points, which he collected at all three levels. White shot 3/7 from the three-point line, 4/6 from the free-throw line, and 4/8 inside the arc.

Cavaliers Starters in Midseason Form

Cleveland's core four starters — Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, and Darius Garland — all played exactly 19 minutes. Mobley in particular was highly efficient as he logged 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocks.

Cleveland finished as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference last season, losing in the second round of the payoffs to the eventual NBA champion Boston Celtics in five games.

What's On Tap Next?

The Bulls return home Saturday to welcome the Memphis Grizzlies for an exhibition contest. The Grizzlies are amid their own roster retooling focused on the healthy returns of Ja Morant and Marcus Smart, plus the addition of rookie center Zach Edey. Saturday's preseason game tips off at 7 p.m. CT and will air on CHSN .

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