Key Takeaways:
- Josh Giddey registered his sixth triple-double of the season with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists
- Coby White contributed 25 points as the Chicago Bulls ended a streak of eight losses in their last nine games
- Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have now lost seven of their last 10 games
Match Analysis
The Chicago Bulls delivered an impressive performance to secure a 127-111 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at the United Center. With sharp shooting and strong team play, Chicago halted their recent slide, triumphing in the opening game of this home-and-home series.
Josh Giddey led the way for the Bulls, recording his sixth triple-double of the campaign with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Giddey also matched his career high by sinking five three-pointers. Coby White added 25 points, while Nikola Vucevic made significant contributions with 20 points and nine rebounds.
DRIVE HOME SAFELY, CHICAGO. pic.twitter.com/vkrj1TPx7E
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 18, 2025
Offensive Surge and Shooting Efficiency
Chicago capitalised on their shooting efficiency, making 56.2% of their field goal attempts and converting 14 out of 36 attempts from beyond the arc. The Bulls surged to a 15-point advantage in the third quarter and pulled away again in the fourth quarter, outpacing the Cavaliers to register a rare victory in this matchup – Chicago had previously lost 12 of their last 13 meetings with Cleveland.
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell posted a game-high 32 points, but his team was unable to match the Bulls’ output. With this result, the Cavaliers slipped to a 15-13 record, suffering a seventh defeat in their last 10 outings. Comparatively, Cleveland did not reach a 13th loss until 19 March last season.
Key Moments and Player Contributions
The Bulls led 106-97 halfway through the fourth quarter when Nikola Vucevic drilled a three-pointer to ignite an 11-3 sequence. Vucevic added a layup and a tip-in during that span, while Josh Giddey broke out for a layup and Coby White contributed two free throws to push the lead to 117-100 with 4:59 left on the clock.
For Cleveland, Jaylon Tyson tallied 21 points and Darius Garland chipped in with 15 points and six assists.
Absentees and Team Updates
Ayo Dosunmu, the Bulls’ guard, missed his third consecutive game due to a sprained right thumb. The Chicago native has averaged 15.2 points per game this season, ranking fourth on the team’s scoring chart. On Dosunmu’s recovery, head coach Billy Donovan stated, “Rest is probably going to be the best thing, but he’s probably not going to have time to rest it for it to be fully healed.”
Statistical Summary
| Team | Top Scorers | Rebounds Leader | Assists Leader | Team FG% | 3PM / 3PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bulls | Coby White (25), Josh Giddey (23), Nikola Vucevic (20) | Josh Giddey (11) | Josh Giddey (11) | 56.2% | 14/36 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Donovan Mitchell (32), Jaylon Tyson (21), Darius Garland (15) | Lonzo Ball (7) | Darius Garland (6) | 48.3% | 12/39 |
Looking Ahead
The Bulls and Cavaliers are set to face one another again on Friday in Cleveland to conclude their back-to-back series.
