DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic lead way as Bulls hold off Cavs

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DeMar DeRozan understood the Chicago Bulls needed a win in a big way. A huge run to end the game made it happen.

DeRozan scored 30 points, Nikola Vucevic added 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the struggling Bulls finished with a 14-2 charge to hold off the surging Cleveland Cavaliers 117-104 on Wednesday night.

The Bulls steadied themselves after losing a season-high four straight and falling into a first-place tie with Miami in the Eastern Conference. It was a welcome reprieve from a rough stretch.

They got pounded twice at home, losing by 26 to Brooklyn and by 42 to Golden State in their worst defeat of the year, then lost by two at Boston on a late rally by the Celtics. The red-hot Grizzlies beat them 119-106 in Memphis on Monday afternoon.

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Chicago Bulls' DeMar DeRozan (11) passes under pressure from Cleveland Cavaliers' Lauri Markkanen (24) as Darius Garland (10) also defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

"Getting our butt whooped, giving up a tough one in Boston, we knew coming back on our home floor we had to make up for it," DeRozan said.

Chicago answered in a big way when Cleveland pulled within 103-102 on a 3-pointer by former Bulls player Lauri Markkanen and free throw by Isaac Okoro.

Ayo Dosunmu nailed a 3-pointer with just over 4 minutes remaining to start the decisive rally. Vucevic hit two 3s and a layup during that stretch, helping Chicago stop Cleveland’s season-high, five-game win streak.

"It's an example of what it takes to win in this league," Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.