The Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers game went down to the wire, resulting in a thrilling encounter. The Bulls eventually emerged victorious with a 132-123 win, but not without a concerning moment during the first overtime. In-form player Nikola Vucevic got fouled out during crunch time, which could have cost Chicago the game.

Vucevic received his sixth foul after shoving Jarrett Allen to grab an offensive rebound, forcing him to sit on the bench with less than one minute remaining in the first overtime. Visibly frustrated, Vucevic vented out his frustration on the sideline by swinging the team towel at an empty chair and chirping at the official. Before fouling out, Vucevic had an incredible game, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Despite Vucevic’s absence, the Bulls outscored Cleveland 17-8 in the second overtime. DeMar DeRozan led the game in scoring with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, while veteran Center Andre Drummond scored 17 points and grabbed 25 rebounds, contributing to Chicago’s victory. Rising stars Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White also played great, combining for 35 points in the win.

Following the midseason trade deadline, the Bulls front office made no significant moves, opting to keep Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in the lineup. However, LaVine is out for the rest of the season due to a foot injury, leaving DeRozan to shine with an average of 22.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. Vucevic has also had a solid season, averaging 17.8 points and 10.7 rebounds.

With a current record of 28-31, the Bulls are placed 9th in the Eastern Conference standings, still in contention for a playoff spot. The team’s performance in the remaining games will be crucial in determining their fate in the playoffs.