Bulls Edge Cavaliers in Nail-Biter at Rocket Arena
Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Rocket Arena
Chicago Bulls 118, Cleveland Cavaliers 117, final. Today's NBA pick is already sealed, as a hash, before kickoff.
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Quick answers
Who won Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers?
Chicago Bulls beat Cleveland Cavaliers 118-117 at Rocket Arena on October 7, 2025.
In a thrilling matchup at Rocket Arena, the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 118-117. This game was particularly significant as it marked the continuation of a tightly contested series that is now tied at 2-2. The Bulls entered the game with a strong away record of 1-0, while the Cavaliers were looking to improve upon their home record of 0-1.
Both teams have shown varying forms leading up to this encounter. The Cavaliers, despite their recent struggles, had a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, averaging 119.7 points scored while allowing 116.4 points. However, they were on a one-game losing streak, having lost their last match against the Indiana Pacers 118-126. In contrast, the Bulls were riding a three-game winning streak, boasting a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, with an impressive scoring average of 121.4 points per game while allowing 116.7 points.
When comparing home and away performances, the Cavaliers had a 4-2 record at home and a 2-2 record on the road, while the Bulls had a more dominant home record of 5-1 but were 2-2 in away games. This game was crucial for the Cavaliers to establish their home court advantage, but they faced a formidable opponent in the Bulls, who had previously defeated them 135-113 in their last meeting on April 8, 2025.
The injury report for the Bulls included several key players listed as day-to-day: Dailyn Swain (wrist), Zach Collins (toe), Josh Giddey (ankle), and Rob Dillingham (wrist). The status of these players added an element of uncertainty to the Bulls' lineup, but they managed to secure the win despite these challenges.
As for the betting market, the odds indicated a strong probability of a Cavaliers win, with a home win probability of 0.761 attributed to the provider, suggesting that the Cavaliers were favored to win this matchup. However, the Bulls' recent form and ability to perform under pressure proved decisive in the final moments of the game.
The game's conditions were conducive to a competitive atmosphere, with both teams eager to assert their dominance. The scoring plays in the fourth quarter showcased the intensity of the match, with Jevon Carter making critical shots, including a driving layup that put the Bulls ahead late in the game. The final moments were marked by free throws from both teams, with Miller Kopp and Noa Essengue contributing to the Bulls' scoring, while Luke Travers attempted to keep the Cavaliers in contention with a free throw of his own.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the resilience of the Bulls as they overcame the Cavaliers in a tightly contested game, showcasing their ability to execute in clutch situations. The series remains competitive, and both teams will look to build on this performance as they continue their season.
Injury report
- Dailyn SwainDay-To-DayWristChicago Bulls
- Zach CollinsDay-To-DayToeChicago Bulls
- Josh GiddeyDay-To-DayAnkleChicago Bulls
- Rob DillinghamDay-To-DayWristChicago Bulls
Leaders
- PointsDe'Andre Hunter17Cleveland Cavaliers
- AssistsCraig Porter Jr.4Cleveland Cavaliers
- ReboundsDe'Andre Hunter7Cleveland Cavaliers
- PointsMatas Buzelis19Chicago Bulls
- AssistsYuki Kawamura5Chicago Bulls
- ReboundsJalen Smith9Chicago Bulls
Recent form
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L1119.7 scored · 116.4 allowed per game4-2 at home
- L118-126vs Indiana PacersApr 13
- W108-102at New York KnicksApr 11
- L112-114at Indiana PacersApr 10
- W135-113vs Chicago BullsApr 8
- L113-120vs Sacramento KingsApr 6
- W114-113at San Antonio SpursApr 5
- W124-105vs New York KnicksApr 2
- W127-122vs LA ClippersMar 30
- L122-133at Detroit PistonsMar 28
- W124-116vs San Antonio SpursMar 27
Chicago Bulls
Last 10: 7-3Streak W3121.4 scored · 116.7 allowed per game2-2 away
- W122-102at Philadelphia 76ersApr 13
- W119-89vs Washington WizardsApr 12
- W119-111vs Miami HeatApr 10
- L113-135at Cleveland CavaliersApr 8
- W131-117at Charlotte HornetsApr 6
- W118-113vs Portland Trail BlazersApr 5
- W137-118vs Toronto RaptorsApr 2
- L117-145at Oklahoma City ThunderApr 1
- L119-120vs Dallas MavericksMar 30
- W119-117vs Los Angeles LakersMar 28
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | - | 22 | W3 | .732 | 60 |
| Cleveland | 8 | 30 | W1 | .634 | 52 |
| Milwaukee | 28 | 50 | L1 | .390 | 32 |
| Chicago | 29 | 51 | L2 | .378 | 31 |
| Indiana | 41 | 63 | L2 | .232 | 19 |
Box score
| Stat | Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 42-81 | 44-94 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 13-40 | 15-41 |
| Three-point % | 32 | 37 |
| Free throws | 21-29 | 14-24 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 58 |
| Rebounds | 51 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 9 |
| Defensive rebounds | 36 | 23 |
| Assists | 31 | 27 |
| Steals | 9 | 19 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 26 | 15 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 36 | 18 |
| Fast-break points | 28 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 58 | 50 |
| Fouls | 22 | 24 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 14 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter75-83Craig Porter Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Larry Nance Jr. assists)
- 3rd Quarter76-83Patrick Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter76-86Tyrese Proctor makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 3rd Quarter76-87Tyrese Proctor makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter78-87Noa Essengue makes driving layup (Patrick Williams assists)
- 3rd Quarter79-87Zach Collins makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter80-87Zach Collins makes dunk (Yuki Kawamura assists)
- 3rd Quarter80-90Nae'Qwan Tomlin makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dean Wade assists)
- 3rd Quarter82-90Patrick Williams makes 10-foot two point shot
- 4th Quarter86-90Zach Collins makes 25-foot three point jumper (Yuki Kawamura assists)
- 4th Quarter86-92Luke Travers makes 1-foot dunk (Tyrese Proctor assists)
- 4th Quarter89-92Jevon Carter makes 23-foot three point jumper (Yuki Kawamura assists)
- 4th Quarter91-92Zach Collins makes two point shot (Yuki Kawamura assists)
- 4th Quarter91-95Tyrese Proctor makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 4th Quarter93-95Zach Collins makes 1-foot layup (Patrick Williams assists)
- 4th Quarter93-98Tyrese Proctor makes 26-foot three pointer (Thomas Bryant assists)
- 4th Quarter95-98Zach Collins makes 1-foot layup (Yuki Kawamura assists)
- 4th Quarter95-100Killian Hayes makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter96-100Noa Essengue makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter96-101Tristan Enaruna makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter96-104Miller Kopp makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot (Thomas Bryant assists)
- 4th Quarter97-104Jalen Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter98-104Jalen Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter98-107Thomas Bryant makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 4th Quarter100-107Dalen Terry makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter100-109Luke Travers makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter101-109Jalen Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter104-109Noa Essengue makes 23-foot three point jumper (Dalen Terry assists)
- 4th Quarter104-111Tristan Enaruna makes layup (Killian Hayes assists)
- 4th Quarter106-111Jalen Smith makes dunk (Jevon Carter assists)
- 4th Quarter109-111Yuki Kawamura makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jevon Carter assists)
- 4th Quarter109-114Thomas Bryant makes 25-foot three point jumper (Killian Hayes assists)
- 4th Quarter112-114Jevon Carter makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jalen Smith assists)
- 4th Quarter112-115Miller Kopp makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter112-116Miller Kopp makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter114-116Jevon Carter makes driving layup (Dalen Terry assists)
- 4th Quarter115-116Noa Essengue makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter116-116Noa Essengue makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter118-116Jevon Carter makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter118-117Luke Travers makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Cleveland Cavaliers, below favours Chicago Bulls.
Venue
- Rocket ArenaCleveland, OH
- Attendance15348
- OfficialsJ.B. DeRosa, Natalie Sago, Pat O'Connell
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