The Chicago Bulls (11–15) caught fire offensively and secured their second win in their last three games with a 127–111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers (15–13) on December 18.
Here are the key stats and the top performers of the game:
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Josh Giddey CHI PG 23 PTS | 11 REB | 11 AST | 58.7 FPS
Giddey knocked down a season-high five three-pointers and finished with his 13th 20-point game of the season. He also grabbed a team-high in rebounds for his 12th 10-rebound game and dished out a team-best in assists for his 11th 10-assist performance, securing his sixth triple-double of the year. He has now led the team 10 times in rebounding and 18 times in playmaking.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Nikola Vucevic CHI C 20 PTS | 9 REB | 4 AST | 44.8 FPS
Vucevic had been in a slump, averaging just 10.5 points over his last four games. But he found his touch today, shooting 9-for-14 and recording his 7th 20-point game of the season. He ranks third on the team in scoring this year, averaging 15.8 points per game on 48.5% shooting.
SCORING MACHINES:
Coby White CHI SG 25 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL | 38.5 FPS
White has scored 20 or more points in nine of his ten games this season.
Donovan Mitchell CLE SG 32 PTS | 1 REB | 5 AST | 37.7 FPS
Mitchell put up a brilliant second-half performance, pouring in 17 points to notch his 15th 30-point game of the year. He remains one of the league’s best scorers, ranking second in total points and first in total three-pointers made this season.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Darius Garland CLE PG 15 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 28.0 FPS
DG is finally getting his rhythm, averaging 19 points and 6.2 assists in his last four games.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Jarrett Allen CLE C 14 PTS | 6 REB | 2 BLK | 32.7 FPS
Jarrett was productive on offense, posting his 11th double-digit scoring game of the season. But he was a bigger factor on defense, recording at least 6 rebounds in eight of his last nine games while producing at least 3 stocks for the fifth time this season.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Kevin Huerter CHI SG 11 PTS | 3-6 3PT | 3 REB | 14.1 FPS
Huerter has hit at least 3 three-pointers for the third time in his last four games.
THE X-FACTOR:
Tre Jones CHI PG 11 PTS | 11 AST | 3 STL | 36.7 FPS
Jones was the difference-maker in the first half, posting an impressive 19 plus minus, along with 7 assists and 3 steals. He’s averaging 12.4 points and 5.2 assists per game this season.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Jaylon Tyson CLE SG 21 PTS | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 30.9 FPS
Tyson shot 8-for-10 from the field and recorded his third 20-point game of the month.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Lonzo Ball CLE PG 2 PTS | 7 REB | 1 STL
Ball has been a key part of the team’s rotation but continues to struggle offensively, scoring five points or fewer in four of his last five games.
