If you turned off the Bulls vs Cavs last game before the final buzzer on December 19, 2025, you missed a total defensive meltdown by Cleveland. Honestly, it was one of those games where the box score only tells half the story. The Chicago Bulls walked into Cleveland and didn't just win—they bullied a Cavaliers team that was supposed to be a top-tier Eastern Conference contender.
The final score was 136-125. That’s a lot of points.
What’s wild is that Cleveland actually looked like they had things under control for a minute. They dropped 44 points in the third quarter. 44! You’d think scoring that much in twelve minutes would seal a win, right? Wrong. The Bulls responded with a 35-point fourth quarter while the Cavs' offense just... evaporated.
The Matas Buzelis Breakout No One Saw Coming
We have to talk about Matas Buzelis. People have been waiting for the rookie to show that "it" factor, and he finally did. He finished with 24 points, matching the veteran Nikola Vucevic for the team high.
It wasn't just that he scored; it was how he did it.
Buzelis was active everywhere—5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. He looked like a guy who finally realized he’s 6'10" and can move like a wing. When the game was tight in the fourth, he wasn't shy. He took the shots that Zach LaVine usually takes, and he made them.
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Vucevic Still Has the Sauce
Vooch was a problem for Cleveland all night. He put up 24 points and 15 rebounds. Jarrett Allen is a great defender, but Vucevic just dragged him out to the perimeter and made his life miserable.
- Vucevic Stats: 24 PTS, 15 REB, 11-20 FG
- Buzelis Stats: 24 PTS, 5 REB, 2 BLK
- Josh Giddey: 17 PTS, 7 AST, 6 REB
Giddey played the role of the floor general perfectly. He’s been criticized for his shooting, but his 7 assists were the engine that kept the Bulls' offense humming. He basically lived in the paint, forcing the Cavs' defense to collapse and then kicking it out to the open man.
Why the Cavaliers Collapsed in the Fourth
Cleveland fans are probably still scratching their heads. How do you score 44 in the third and then only 26 in the fourth?
Part of the issue was depth. The Cavs were short-handed. Darius Garland had a rough night, finishing with a costly turnover in the final minute. Donovan Mitchell did his thing—32 points is no joke—but he looked exhausted by the time the fourth quarter rolled around.
The Bulls' bench also outplayed the Cavs' reserves. When you have a guy like Coby White coming off the bench (or starting and moving the ball the way he did with 9 assists), it’s hard to keep up. Chicago finished with 35 assists on 49 made field goals. That is elite-level ball movement.
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The Jaylon Tyson Silver Lining
If there was one bright spot for Cleveland in the Bulls vs Cavs last game, it was Jaylon Tyson. The rookie has been a revelation. Even in a loss, he’s showing that he belongs in the rotation. He’s got this smooth game that reminds you of a young Caris LeVert, but maybe with a bit more defensive upside.
The Historical Context of This Matchup
Let’s be real: Cleveland has owned the Bulls lately. Before this December stretch, the Bulls had dropped 12 of their last 13 against the Cavs. Winning back-to-back games (remember, they also beat them 127-111 on December 17) is a massive psychological hurdle for this Chicago roster.
The Bulls are now 12-15, which isn't amazing, but considering they started the season losing eight of nine, this is a huge turnaround. On the flip side, the Cavaliers fell to 15-14 after this loss. For a team that didn't hit 13 losses until March last year, this is a bit of a "code red" moment in Cleveland.
Defensive Struggles
Cleveland's defensive identity seems to have vanished. They allowed Chicago to shoot 56.2% from the field. You aren't winning many NBA games when the opponent is hitting over half their shots.
- Transition Defense: The Bulls got too many easy buckets in the fast break.
- Paint Protection: Even with Mobley and Allen, the Bulls lived at the rim.
- Three-Point Luck: Chicago hit 14 threes, but many of them were wide-open looks.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
If you're a Bulls fan, you’re feeling optimistic for the first time in a while. The "Giddey-Buzelis-White" core is starting to make sense. They play fast, they share the ball, and they aren't relying solely on isolations.
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For the Cavs, it's time to get healthy. They’ve been dealing with nagging injuries to guys like Max Strus and Sam Merrill, which has messed with their spacing. When Mitchell has to carry the entire scoring load, the offense becomes predictable.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking these teams for the rest of the 2025-26 season, keep an eye on these specific trends:
- Watch the Bulls' Assist Numbers: When Chicago clears 30 assists, they are almost unbeatable. It means the "point-Giddey" experiment is working.
- Monitor Cleveland’s Fourth Quarter Scoring: They have a habit of going cold late. Look for Kenny Atkinson to tweak the late-game rotations to keep Mitchell fresh.
- Buzelis' Minutes: His playing time is trending up. He's becoming a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate if he keeps this production up.
The next time these two meet is March 19, 2026, back at the United Center. Expect the Cavs to have that date circled on their calendars. They won't want to get swept in the season series by a division rival that is technically "rebuilding."
Basically, the Bulls found their rhythm, and the Cavs found out that talent alone doesn't win games if you can't stop anyone on the other end.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, start by looking at the defensive rating of the Cavs' starting lineup over the next ten games. If that number doesn't drop, expect more high-scoring losses like this one. Also, check the injury reports for Evan Mobley; his presence in the paint is the only thing that can stabilize Cleveland's crumbling defense.