Cavaliers Survive Late Scare, Beat Bulls 115-110 Behind James Harden’s 36 | NBA Recap
The Cleveland Cavaliers held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Chicago Bulls, securing a 115-110 victory in a dramatic matchup on March 20, 2026.
James Harden Takes Over Without Mitchell
With All-Star Donovan Mitchell sidelined due to injury, James Harden stepped up in a massive way, dropping 36 points and knocking down seven three-pointers to lead Cleveland.
Harden controlled the tempo all night and delivered clutch baskets in the final minute to seal the win.
Evan Mobley Dominates Inside
Evan Mobley provided a powerful presence in the paint, finishing with 26 points and 14 rebounds, helping the Cavaliers build a huge lead early.
His inside scoring and rebounding gave Cleveland a strong edge throughout most of the game.
Cavaliers Nearly Blow 29-Point Lead
Cleveland looked in complete control after building a 29-point lead in the third quarter, but Chicago stormed back late to make things interesting.
The Bulls cut the deficit to just one point in the fourth quarter, putting pressure on the Cavaliers down the stretch.
Clutch Moments Seal the Game
In the final minutes:
- Chicago trimmed the lead to 103-102
- Cleveland responded with a timely three-pointer
- Harden hit a clutch pull-up jumper with 33 seconds left
That late execution helped Cleveland avoid a collapse and secure the win.
Bulls Show Fight but Fall Short
Despite the loss, Chicago showed resilience:
- Tre Jones led with 20 points
- Rob Dillingham added 17 points
- Nick Richards contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds
However, missed opportunities in the closing moments ultimately cost them the game.
Key Stats Snapshot
- Final Score: Cavaliers 115, Bulls 110
- Harden: 36 points, 7 three-pointers
- Mobley: 26 points, 14 rebounds
- Cavaliers led most of the game (largest lead: 29)
What This Means
The Cavaliers continue to prove their depth and resilience, winning even without their top scorer. Cleveland strengthens its position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
For the Bulls, the loss marks another tough outing despite a strong comeback effort, highlighting ongoing consistency issues late in games.
