Cleveland Cavaliers look to maintain mastery of Chicago Bulls

CHICAGO – The league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers twice defeated the Chicago Bulls during a season-opening 15-game National Basketball Association (NBA) winning streak.

On March 4 (March 5, Singapore time),they aim to extend their latest double-digit surge at the expense of their hosts.

Cleveland are riding on a 10-game winning streak into the clash with the struggling Bulls, their third run this season of at least that many games. But while they became the first NBA team this campaign to earn 50 victories, their latest spurt includes a bit of novelty.

The Cavs played their first overtime game of the season on March 2, edging out the Portland Trail Blazers 133-129.

They have also needed to channel their comeback ability lately; they have won consecutive games after trailing by 18 points or more for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

There is no doubt that there is a bit of wobble, and the Cavs hope to play from ahead against the Bulls while ideally finding a rhythm both offensively and overall.

Cleveland felt restricted throughout the Portland game, which featured a combined 53 personal fouls and 70 free throws. That, too, presented the team with a different wrinkle.

“There’s a lot of whistles out there (March 2),but I think we did a good job playing through it and not letting it affect our game plan,” said De’Andre Hunter, who had 32 points.

Despite losing eight of their past 10 games, the Bulls (24-37) entered this week 10th in the Eastern Conference and in the final spot for the play-in tournament, ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.

After rallying from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to top the visiting Toronto Raptors on Feb 28, Chicago struggled in the 127-112 road loss to the Indiana Pacers on March 2.