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Cleveland Cavaliers outduel Chicago Bulls in Summer League

The Bulls couldn’t protect their lead in the fourth quarter.

Harvey Glassbrook

© Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
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The Chicago Bulls held a seven-point fourth-quarter lead, but couldn’t hold on, eventually falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 87-83, in the NBA Summer League on Thursday afternoon at the Cox Pavillion in Las Vegas. The Bulls trailed by ten early but turned things around in the second and third to take a one-point lead at the start of the fourth. The Cavs, though, were the sharper team as they blitzed the Bulls down the stretch to pick up the win.

Decisive endgame run

The Cavs got off to a fast start and led 29-19 before the Bulls found their bearings to take a slim lead in the fourth. But a 14-3 run by the Cavaliers in the last four minutes of the game proved to be the final blow that lifted the Cavs to the win.

Craig Porter paced the Cavs with 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block, while Isaiah Mobley added a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. Second-round pick Emoni Bates continued his superb showing in this tournament, this time registering 15 points and six rebounds.

Javon Freeman-Liberty solid once again

Javon Freeman-Liberty led the way for Chicago with 18 points, three rebounds, two dimes, and a swat. Dalen Terry, the team’s first-round pick last year, continued to struggle with his shot, going 4-of-13 for 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Julian Phillips had another strong outing with 12 points, two rebounds, one steal, and one block.

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Harvey Glassbrook
HARVEY GLASSBROOK

Chicago Bulls fan ever since “the shrug.” Meeting Jud Buechler at the Berto Center before the Last Dance season is one of my GOAT NBA moments, followed by watching two games at the United Center during that campaign. Virginia Military Institute graduate and a recovering sneakerhead. 

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