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Cavs score, recap vs Bulls. Cavaliers flop again amid boos at home
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- Cavs score, recap vs Bulls. Cavaliers flop again amid boos at home
CLEVELAND — The 2025-26 Cavaliers have been a colossal disappointment thus far. Everyone involved with the Cavs is waiting to learn whether they will become healthier and reverse their fortunes or instead end up with a lost season sure to prompt a roster shake-up.
If the Cavs were going to show life, three consecutive home games against sub-.500 opponents would be a good time to do it.
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However, the Cavs began the three-game stretch by losing 136-125 to the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 19 at Rocket Arena. The Cavs fell to 15-14 and will host the Charlotte Hornets (9-18) on Dec. 22 and the New Orleans Pelicans (6-22) on Dec. 23.
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The Cavs also lost 127-111 on Dec. 17 at the Bulls (12-15). Here is how the rematch unfolded through our updates:
Cavs lose to Bulls 136-125
After the Cavs tied the score 115-115 with six minutes left to play, they were outscored 21-10 the rest of the way.
The Cavs didn't have All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell (illness) available to rescue them from underperforming as a team. Point guard Darius Garland tried and finished with a season-high 35 points to go along with eight assists. Rookie guard Tyrese Proctor added 16 points.
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But the Bulls had the upper hand. They had seven players finish in double figures, led by forward Matas Buzelis and center Nikola Vucevic with 24 points apiece.
Cavaliers tie score 115-115 vs. Chicago Bulls with Darius Garland 3-pointer
The Cavs and Bulls were in a 115-115 tie with 5:50 left in the fourth quarter during a Chicago timeout.
The stoppage came on the heels of Cavs point guard Darius Garland draining a 3-pointer on an assist from forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin to tie the score with six minutes remaining.
Cavaliers show fight and trail Bulls 101-99 at the end of the third quarter
The Cavs got their act together enough to outscore the Bulls 44-35 in the third quarter and trail 101-99 entering the fourth quarter.
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Cavs forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin made a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the Bulls' lead to two points.
Center Jarrett Allen led the Cavs with 10 points in the third quarter. He was scoreless in the first half.
Cavs rally with defense and Darius Garland's 3-pointers to cut Bulls' lead to 85-84
The Bulls led by 14 points in the third quarter, but the Cavs rallied to cut Chicago's deficit to 85-84 with 4:51 left in the third quarter.
A steal by guard Lonzo Ball and a 3-pointer by point guard Darius Garland followed by a steal and 3 by Garland made it a one-point difference.
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Instead of booing, the home crowd cheered.
Cavs trail Bulls 78-69 with 7:13 left in the third quarter
Cavs center Jarrett Allen is dealing with finger injuries and is clearly affected by them. However, Allen scored back-to-back baskets on an alley-oop from guard Darius Garland and an open layup on an assist from rookie guard Tyrese Proctor.
Allen's contributions allowed the Cavs to cut their deficit to 78-69 with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter.
Cavs' performance vs. Bulls sloppy early in the third quarter
The Cavs fell behind 74-60 to the Bulls and called timeout as the home crowd booed with 9:37 left in the third quarter.
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Point guard Darius Garland had just committed a turnover, leading to Bulls forward Matas Buzelis scoring on a fast break and Chicago seizing a 14-point lead.
Cleveland Cavs trail Chicago Bulls 66-55 at halftime
The Cavs played another sloppy, uninspired half. They trailed the Bulls 66-55 at halftime.
The Cavs' shooting woes continue to be a theme. They went 6-of-21 shooting on 3-pointers (28.6%) in the first half. The Bulls went 12 of 26 on 3s (46.2%).
Point guard Darius Garland led the Cavs with 16 points through two quarters. He was the lone Cleveland player in double figures.
The Bulls had three players reach double figures in the first half: Forward Matas Buzelis (14 points), guard Josh Giddey (11 points) and guard Tre Jones (10 points).
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The Cavs were booed by the Cleveland crowd as they entered halftime.
Dec 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates his three-point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Cavs trail Bulls 54-50 with 4:11 left in the second quarter
Bulls forward Zach Collins sent the Cavs into a timeout by draining a 3-pointer with 4:11 left in the first half. The Bulls led 54-50.
Cavs guard Lonzo Ball picks up technical foul from the bench
With 7:07 left in the second quarter, Bulls forward Matas Buzelis drove for a fast-break layup and drew a foul from Cavs forward Luke Travers in the process. Cavs guard Lonzo Ball also received a technical foul from the bench for apparently chirping at the officiating crew. Buzelis made the foul shot for a three-point play and a 46-42 Chicago advantage, but Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu missed the technical free throw.
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The Cavs trailed 46-44 during a timeout with 5:59 left in the first half.
Official Tre Maddox suffers ankle injury in Cavs vs. Bulls
Official Tre Maddox suffered an ankle injury during the game, the Cavs announced during the second quarter. The game proceeded with two officials working instead of three.
Dec 19, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) passes the ball as Chicago Bulls forward Zach Collins (12) covers him during the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls tied 32-32 at end of first quarter
The Cavs' Lonzo Ball and the Bulls' Zach Collins traded 3-pointers in the final 30 seconds of the opening quarter.
The score was tied 32-32 when the first quarter ended.
Point guard Darius Garland led the Cavs with 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field (1 of 3 on 3-pointers) in the first quarter. Forward Matas Buzelis paced the Bulls with eight points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field (1 of 1 on 3s).
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Cavs lead Bulls 24-19 with 3:16 left in the first quarter
The Bulls took their first lead of the game when guard Tre Jones made an open corner 3-pointer to give Chicago a 16-15 edge with 5:31 left in the first quarter. The Cavs answered with a 7-0 run fueled by point guard Darius Garland's four points and assist to center Thomas Bryant on a 3-pointer.
With 3:16 left, Cavs wing De'Andre Hunter was fouled by Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who received a Flagrant 1 after a replay review because he occupied Hunter's landing zone. Hunter made of two of three foul shots to put Cleveland ahead 24-19. The Cavs retained possession but didn't capitalize.
Cavs' 11-0 lead vanishes as Chicago Bulls tie score 13-13
Former Cavs small forward Isaac Okoro drained a 3-pointer to cut the Bulls' deficit to 13-11 with 7:17 left in the first quarter. On Chicago's next possession, forward Matas Buzelis dunked on a fast break to tie the score 13-13 with 6:45 remaining.
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The Cavs responded with a timeout.
Cavs' Jaylon Tyson receives flagrant foul vs. Bulls
After the Cavs went ahead 11-0, the Bulls cut their deficit to 11-6 with an eventful sequence.
With 9:10 left in the first quarter, Bulls forward Matas Buzelis made a 3-pointer and was fouled by Cavs small forward Jaylon Tyson during the shot. After a replay review, the officials ruled Tyson committed a Flagrant 1 foul because he occupied Buzelis' landing zone. Buzelis made a foul shot for a four-point play. The Bulls retained possession and scored again.
Cavs open game with 8-0 lead and Tyrese Proctor on fire
Starting for the first time this season, rookie guard Tyrese Proctor made his first two shots — both were 3-pointers — to lead the Cavs to an 8-0 run out of the gate.
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After Proctor's second 3, the Bulls called timeout with 9:57 left in the first quarter.
Below is some pregame information.
Cleveland Cavs injury report vs. Bulls. Donovan Mitchell ruled out
The Cavs ruled out forward Evan Mobley (left calf strain), guard Sam Merrill (right hand sprain), forward/center Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain), small forward Max Strus (offseason foot surgery) and forward Chris Livingston (two-way contract).
The Cavs listed guard Donovan Mitchell (illness), guard Craig Porter Jr. (illness) and forward Luke Travers (two-way contract) as questionable to play, but coach Kenny Atkinson said Mitchell and Porter will be out and Travers has been summoned to play.
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Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half at United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Chicago Bulls injury report vs. Cavs
The Bulls ruled out forward Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery), Trentyn Flowers (two-way contract), forward Emanuel Miller (two-way contract) and forward/center Lachlan Olbrich (two-way contract).
After listing forward/center Zach Collins (left wrist soreness), guard Ayo Dosunmu (right thumb sprain) and guard Tre Jones (left hamstring tightness) as probable to play, the Bulls have declared them available to face the Cavs.
Cavs starting lineup vs. Bulls
With Mitchell and Porter out, rookie guard Tyrese Proctor will make his first career regular-season NBA start.
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The Cavs also announced they will start point guard Darius Garland, small forward Jaylon Tyson, forward Dean Wade and center Jarrett Allen.
Dec 12, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after scoring against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Do the Cavs play on Christmas?
The Cavs will visit the New York Knicks at noon on Dec. 25 for one of the NBA's five games on Christmas Day. The nationally televised game can be viewed on ABC and ESPN.
Unlike the Cavs, the Knicks have been living up to the hype this season. Entering Dec. 19's games, the Knicks were 19-7 and second in the Eastern Conference.
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How can I watch, stream Cavs game tonight vs. Bulls? How can I listed to Cavaliers game on radio?
The local TV broadcast of Cavs vs. Bulls can be viewed via FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The radio broadcast can be heard locally via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
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Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs score, recap vs Chicago Bulls, highlights, analysis
