Spokesman-Review
National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Chicago 107, Cleveland 75
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, April 26, 2012
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #29 Mark Lindsay, #66 Haywoode Workman
Attendance: 22563


BULLS 107, CAVALIERS 75: John Lucas matched his career high with 25 points off the bench and Chicago clinched home-court advantage through the NBA Finals despite resting Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

With the Bulls' playoff series beginning Saturday, coach Tom Thibodeau played his starters sparingly and still pounded the Cavaliers, who benched top rookie Kyrie Irving for their finale.

Joakim Noah had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Taj Gibson had 10 points and 12 rebounds and Ronnie Brewer grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Tristan Thompson had 13 points and 12 rebounds, Donald Sloan had 12 points and Antawn Jamison had 12 points, but shot just 4 of 18. Jamison, a free agent, said after Wednesday’s game that he wouldn’t return next season.

The victory gives the Bulls a 49-16 record and assures them home-court advantage over the San Antonio Spurs - should the two teams meet in the Finals.

GAME NOTEBOOK: It’s the second time this season the Bulls beat the Cavaliers by more than 30 points. They went 3-0 against Cleveland, winning each by an average of 30.7 points. … Luke Harangody had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench for the Cavaliers. … Omri Casspi injured his knee in pregame warm-ups, meaning no Cleveland player participated in every game this season.

Top Game Performances
 
Cleveland   Chicago
Tristan Thompson 13 Scoring John Lucas III 25
Donald Sloan 2 Assists C.J. Watson 8
Tristan Thompson 12 Rebounds Taj Gibson 12
Tristan Thompson 5 Free Throws Made Jimmy Butler 4
Antawn Jamison 1 Steals John Lucas III 2
Samardo Samuels 1 Blocks Taj Gibson 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Cleveland 75 32.2 2-13 17-26 8 38 3 4 9
Chicago 107 52.9 5-16 12-17 29 60 7 5 9
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Bulls have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.