On Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls traveled to Cleveland with a questionable injury report that included key players from their post-2025 NBA Trade Deadline rotation. This rotation had contributed to the Bulls' 14-9 record following the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, spanning 78 games of the 2024-25 NBA regular season.
For context and contrast, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas on Feb. 7, 2025, restated his priorities to CHSN's K.C. Johnson regarding the Bulls' organizational direction relative to NBA play-in, playoffs, or draft pick status:
“Well in terms of like integrity of the game, you never want to lose games. I’m competitive, Billy is competitive. I think at the end of the day if this young team can be in the play-in and even in the playoffs, I think it’s a win because then your young players are developing. And if we’re not, then we’re going to get a higher pick so I think it’s a win-win for us.”
Karnisovas' noncommittal, passive approach to basketball operations resulted in a subdued load-management strategy during the Chicago Bulls' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite a few runs in the second half, the Bulls never posed a serious threat for an upset, ultimately losing to the Cavaliers, 135-119.
A Tale of Two Scoring Approaches
The Bulls' best effort against the Cavaliers came in the first quarter. Serviceable three-point shooting led by Patrick Williams, who went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in that period, provided the Bulls' offense with enough momentum to keep pace with the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers, who focused on working inside-out, scored 16 points in the paint during the first quarter, which ended with the Cavaliers leading 25-24.
Cavaliers Scoring Affluence Goes Unchecked
By the 8:52 mark of the second quarter, the Cavaliers established a 10-point lead over the Bulls, with Ty Jerome and Evan Mobley contributing 10 of the Cavaliers' first 14 points in that quarter. The Cavaliers maintained their lead for the rest of the game and defeated the Bulls, 135-113, clinching the No. 1 playoff seed in the NBA Eastern Conference.
What's On Tap Next?
On Wednesday, the Bulls return home for the second night of a back-to-back against the Miami Heat. Both teams are locked into the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament, meaning Wednesday's game will have a direct impact on the final seeding of the Eastern Conference play-in games.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on the Chicago Sports Network (CHSN).
