Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points as the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers came from behind once more to preserve their 100 percent start to the season with a 119-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls yesterday (Philippine time).

The Cavaliers, who overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Brooklyn on Saturday, November 9, were again forced to dig deep, battling back from nine points down in the third quarter for a road victory that took them to 12-0 for the season.

Mitchell led another fine all-round offensive performance from Cleveland, who have emerged as the surprise package of the season and are the only undefeated team in the league.

Six Cleveland players finished in double figures, with point guard Darius Garland adding 17 points and Evan Mobley 15.

Caris LeVert, Georges Niang and Ty Jerome all had 12 points each off the bench.

Chicago, meanwhile, were left ruing their inability to take full advantage after pulling into an 85-76 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Instead, Cleveland came roaring back with a 9-0 run to tie the game and then pulled ahead to lead by three points heading into the fourth quarter, before closing out the victory by outscoring Chicago, 24-21, in the final frame.

Zach LaVine led Chicago’s scorers with 26 points, while Coby White and Nikola Vucevic had 20 points apiece. The Bulls fell to 4-7 with the loss.

“We dug deep,” Mitchell said after the win. “Honestly, the bench saved us. Starters were a little fatigued and I guess teams were coming at us. But we persevered, and shouted out to the bench for that. It’s a group effort.”

“For us to continue to be what we want to be, that’s what it’s going to take. It was a complete team win … every night it’s somebody different. We’re playing for each other, being selfless. We’ve got to keep it going.” (Agence France-Presse)