Donovan Mitchell leads Cavaliers past Bulls to keep undefeated 12-0 start intact

On By Littum

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 11: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrates a three-point shot in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 11, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

The Cavaliers are now just the seventh team in NBA history to start 12-0 or better. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ undefeated run is alive and well.

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers stormed ahead in the fourth quarter Monday night at the United Center to beat the Chicago Bulls 119-113. It pushed them to a perfect 12-0 record on the season.

The Cavaliers, the last undefeated team left in the NBA this season, are now just the eighth team to start 12-0 or better in league history. It’s already the best start in franchise history and the best start to a season since the Golden State Warriors opened the 2015-16 campaign with 24 straight wins. The Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, beat the Warriors in the NBA Finals that season.

Mitchell went off in the first half, which is what kept Cleveland in lockstep with the Bulls after all five of their starters hit double figures in the first 24 minutes. Mitchell had 25 points in the first half on five 3-pointers, and he made a wild 360-degree layup while flying through the middle of the court in the middle of the second quarter.

Although the Bulls pulled ahead in the third quarter and jumped out to a nine-point lead after a pair of Ayo Dosunmu free throws late in the period, the Cavaliers rattled off an 11-2 run to tie the game almost immediately. The Cavs held Chicago to just two field goals, easy floaters from both Dalen Terry and Josh Giddey, also in the final six minutes of the quarter. That pushed Cleveland to a 3-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

While the Bulls tied the game back up midway through the final period on a fadeaway midrange jumper from Zach LaVine, the Cavaliers turned it on right away. Evan Mobley threw down an easy alley-oop, and then Donovan Mitchell dropped in a fast break layup off a Ty Jerome steal just seconds later. It quickly turned into a 9-2 run, which was enough to keep the Cavaliers one step ahead the rest of the way and allow them to close out the six-point victory.

Mitchell finished with 36 points and eight rebounds, shooting 7-of-16 from behind the arc. Darius Garland added 17 points and five assists, and Evan Mobley finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points and six rebounds. Nikola Vucevic finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, and Coby White added 20 points with five 3-pointers. The Bulls also had 20 turnovers as a team, which the Cavaliers turned into 35 points.

The Cavaliers take on the Philadelphia 76ers next Wednesday. A win that would match the longest winning streak in team history. While they are certain to drop a game in the end, Mitchell and the Cavaliers look like true Eastern Conference contenders through the first few weeks of the season.