Game ID: 22501011
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls
Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET
United Center, Chicago, IL
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
CHI 22 23 28 37 110CLE 32 29 32 22 115
CHI vs CLE ScoutingCHI vs CLE Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
CHI availability going into 3/12 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 8 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 34 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 13 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 27 min since (130% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 17 min since (84% of 20)
BACK Kawamura back 3/01 after 8, 4 min since (35% of 12)
CHI availability going into 3/13 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 9 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 2 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 2 since 3/10, returns tonight: 23 min (111% of 20)
OUT Collins missed 35 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 14 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (136% of 21)
NEW Giddey 32 to 37 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/16 · 2 days' restOUT Simons missed 10 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 3 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 36 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 15 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (136% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 20 min since (98% of 20)
NEW Giddey 32 to 39 min over the last 4
NEW Buzelis 29 to 36 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/18 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 11 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 4 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Sexton missed 4 since 3/10, returns tonight: 18 min (68% of 26)
OUT Collins missed 37 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 16 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Smith back 3/08 after 5, 28 min since (134% of 21)
BACK Williams back 3/08 after 4, 20 min since (97% of 20)
NEW Giddey 32 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Buzelis 29 to 35 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/19 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 12 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 5 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 38 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 17 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 18 min since (68% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 23 min since (111% of 20)
NEW Buzelis 29 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Leo. Miller 23 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Smith 21 to 27 min over the last 4
CHI availability going into 3/23 · 3 days' restOUT Simons missed 13 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 6 since 3/10, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 39 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 18 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 18 min since (70% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 22 min since (108% of 20)
NEW Leo. Miller 23 to 28 min over the last 5
CHI availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 14 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Okoro missed 7 since 3/10, returns tonight: 23 min (87% of 27)
OUT Collins missed 40 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 19 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 21 min since (80% of 26)
BACK Williams back 3/13 after 2, 22 min since (105% of 20)
CHI availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Simons missed 15 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 41 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 20 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 3/25 after 7, 23 min since (87% of 27)
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 20 min since (78% of 26)
CHI availability going into 3/28 · back-to-backOUT Simons missed 16 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Collins missed 42 since 12/29, out tonight
OUT McClung missed 21 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Kawamura missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Okoro back 3/25 after 7, 27 min since (101% of 27)
BACK Sexton back 3/18 after 4, 22 min since (86% of 26)
CLE availability going into 3/11 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 2 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 4 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/01 after 2, 35 min since (99% of 35)
BACK Mitchell back 3/08 after 4, 32 min since (95% of 34)
BACK Wade back 3/08 after 3, 20 min since (91% of 22)
BACK Tomlin back 3/09 after 2, 4 min since (26% of 14)
BACK Nance Jr. back 3/09 after 4, 4 min since (31% of 12)
NEW Tyson 24 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Ellis 20 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Schröder 19 to 27 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/13 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 3 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 5 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Harden back 3/01 after 2, 35 min since (100% of 35)
BACK Mitchell back 3/08 after 4, 34 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Wade back 3/08 after 3, 20 min since (90% of 22)
BACK Tomlin back 3/09 after 2, 4 min since (26% of 14)
BACK Nance Jr. back 3/09 after 4, 4 min since (31% of 12)
NEW Ellis 20 to 28 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/15 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 4 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 6 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/08 after 4, 32 min since (95% of 34)
BACK Wade back 3/08 after 3, 20 min since (88% of 22)
BACK Tomlin back 3/09 after 2, 10 min since (73% of 14)
BACK Nance Jr. back 3/09 after 4, 5 min since (43% of 12)
NEW Ellis 20 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Bryant 11 to 17 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/17 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 5 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Merrill missed 2 since 3/13, returns tonight: 28 min (112% of 25)
OUT Proctor missed 7 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Mitchell back 3/08 after 4, 34 min since (99% of 34)
BACK Wade back 3/08 after 3, 21 min since (93% of 22)
BACK Tomlin back 3/09 after 2, 11 min since (77% of 14)
BACK Nance Jr. back 3/09 after 4, 5 min since (43% of 12)
NEW Ellis 20 to 28 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 6 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 2 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 8 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Merrill back 3/17 after 2, 28 min since (112% of 25)
BACK Tomlin back 3/09 after 2, 11 min since (77% of 14)
NEW Ellis 20 to 28 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 7 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 3 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 3 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 9 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Merrill back 3/17 after 2, 30 min since (119% of 25)
NEW Ellis 20 to 28 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/24 · 2 days' restOUT Allen missed 8 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 4 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 10 since 3/01, out tonight
BACK Merrill back 3/17 after 2, 30 min since (122% of 25)
NEW Ellis 20 to 26 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Allen missed 9 since 3/08, out tonight
OUT Tyson missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 5 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Proctor missed 11 since 3/01, returns tonight: 6 min (62% of 10)
BACK Merrill back 3/17 after 2, 31 min since (125% of 25)
NEW Ellis 20 to 25 min over the last 5
CLE availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 10 since 3/08, returns tonight: 18 min (66% of 28)
OUT Tyson missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Porter Jr. missed 6 since 3/15, out tonight
OUT Nance Jr. missed 6 since 3/15, returns tonight: 4 min (34% of 12)
BACK Merrill back 3/17 after 2, 31 min since (123% of 25)
BACK Proctor back 3/25 after 11, 6 min since (62% of 10)
NEW Ellis 20 to 26 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 126, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Buzelis at 26 and Giddey at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Simons (12 straight), Okoro (5 straight), Collins (38 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 116, shooting 51 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Mitchell at 22 and Harden at 22 a game. Without Allen (6 straight), Porter Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Cleveland allowing 116 a night to Chicago's 126 and the turnovers, Chicago giving it away 15 times a game to Cleveland's 11. Call it Cleveland 121, Chicago 118, Chicago keeping it close.
3/12 @ LAL 130-142 — CHI notes
CHI lost 130-142. CHI shot 54% (51 of 95) to LAL's 56%, 15 of 36 from three. CHI turned it over 15 times to LAL's 9, and LAL turned those into 9 steals. Giddey led with 27 (10 of 17, 6 of 9 from three); Buzelis added 22, Jones 18. Q1 was theirs, 26-26, but the other 3 periods went 116-104 against them. Buzelis's -25 in 35 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/13 @ LAC 108-119 — CHI notes
CHI lost 108-119. CHI shot 44% (42 of 95) to LAC's 48%, 12 of 41 from three, and got to the line 13 times to LAC's 24. CHI turned it over 13 times to LAC's 6, and LAC turned those into 8 steals. Jones led with 21 (10 of 11); Giddey added 20, Buzelis 18. Q2 was theirs, 29-30, but the other 3 periods went 89-79 against them. Jones's -23 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/16 vs MEM 132-107 — CHI notes
CHI won 132-107. CHI shot 52% (48 of 93) to MEM's 45%, 18 of 48 from three. The glass went 47-37 for them. Buzelis led with 29 (12 of 22, 5 of 13 from three); Jones added 17, Giddey 16. The hinge was Q4, 35-21: a lead of 11 became 25. Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
3/18 vs TOR 109-139 — CHI notes
CHI lost 109-139. CHI shot 47% (40 of 85) to TOR's 57%, 9 of 31 from three. Buzelis led with 19 (6 of 15, 3 of 8 from three, 4 of 6 at the line); Dillingham added 15, Sexton 14. Q4 was theirs, 33-31, the deficit cut from 32 to 30, but the other 3 periods went 108-76 against them. Giddey's -30 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/19 vs CLE 110-115 — CHI notes
CHI lost 110-115. CHI shot 45% (42 of 94) to CLE's 44%, 15 of 44 from three, and got to the line 17 times to CLE's 31. Jones led with 20 (6 of 12, 2 of 4 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Dillingham added 17, Richards 16. Q4 was theirs, 37-22, the deficit cut from 20 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 93-73 against them. Buzelis's -20 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/23 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 19 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Jones at 16 a game. Without Simons (13 straight), Okoro (6 straight), Collins (39 straight). 3 days' rest. Houston comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Durant at 24 and Thompson at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Houston allowing 109 a night to Chicago's 124 and the glass, where Houston has been plus-7 a night and Chicago minus-0. Call it Houston 117, Chicago 114, Chicago keeping it close.
3/25 @ PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 117, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edgecombe at 24 and Grimes at 24 a game. Without Maxey (9 straight), George (25 straight), Embiid (13 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 16 a game. Without Simons (14 straight), Okoro (7 straight), Collins (40 straight). One day's rest.
So: Philadelphia wins, and the game turns on the arc, Chicago at 36 percent from three to Philadelphia's 32. Call it Philadelphia 119, Chicago 116, Chicago keeping it close.
3/27 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 107, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Sandfort (3 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 128, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Buzelis at 20 and Sexton at 16 a game. Without Simons (15 straight), Collins (41 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 107 a night to Chicago's 128 and the glass, where OKC has been plus-7 a night and Chicago plus-1. Call it OKC 123, Chicago 113, OKC by 10.
3/28 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 126, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson at 20 and Prosper at 16 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 18 a night. Without Rupert (2 straight), Wells (2 straight), Jerome (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 133, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 25 free throws a game; Buzelis at 18 and Sexton at 17 a game. Without Simons (16 straight), Collins (42 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Memphis wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been minus-4 a night and Memphis minus-18 and the defense, Memphis allowing 126 a night to Chicago's 133. Call it Memphis 120, Chicago 119, Chicago keeping it close.
3/11 @ ORL 122-128 — CLE notes
CLE lost 122-128. CLE shot 49% (44 of 89) to ORL's 52%, 17 of 44 from three, and got to the line 26 times to ORL's 37. Harden led with 30 (11 of 16, 5 of 9 from three); Mitchell added 25, Ellis 20. Q2 was theirs, 27-24, the deficit cut from 3 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 104-95 against them. Wade's -10 in 20 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/13 @ DAL 138-105 — CLE notes
CLE won 138-105. CLE shot 62% (56 of 91) to DAL's 44%, 18 of 38 from three, and got to the line 13 times to DAL's 24. Mobley led with 29 (12 of 15, 2 of 4 from three, 3 of 7 at the line); Mitchell added 24, Harden 17. The hinge was Q1, 38-21: from level to 17 ahead, and the lead reached 35. Harden was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
3/15 vs DAL 120-130 — CLE notes
CLE lost 120-130. CLE shot 51% (45 of 88) to DAL's 53%, 16 of 41 from three, and got to the line 21 times to DAL's 27. Mitchell led with 26 (10 of 24, 4 of 11 from three); Strus added 24, Mobley 18. Q4 was theirs, 34-30, the deficit cut from 14 to 10, but the other 3 periods went 100-86 against them. Wade's -12 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/17 @ MIL 123-116 — CLE notes
CLE won 123-116. CLE shot 49% (42 of 86) to MIL's 48%, 12 of 36 from three, and went to the line 34 times to MIL's 17 — 27 points from the stripe to their 12. Harden led with 27 (7 of 10, 2 of 4 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Mobley added 27, Mitchell 19. The hinge was Q1, 37-24: from level to 13 ahead. CLE trailed 57-58 at the half and won the second half 66-58. Merrill was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
3/19 @ CHI 115-110 — CLE notes
CLE won 115-110. CLE shot 44% (40 of 91) to CHI's 45%, 14 of 41 from three, and went to the line 31 times to CHI's 17 — 21 points from the stripe to their 11. Harden led with 36 (10 of 23, 7 of 13 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Mobley added 26, Tyson 18. The hinge was Q1, 32-22: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 29.
3/21 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 107, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 25 free throws a game; Murray at 26 and Murphy III at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without McGowens (5 straight), Jordan (4 straight), Peavy (2 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 118, shooting 51 percent and 38 from three, 25 free throws a game; Harden at 25 and Mobley at 24 a game. Without Allen (7 straight), Porter Jr. (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the defense, New Orleans allowing 107 a night to Cleveland's 118 and the turnovers, New Orleans giving it away 15 times a game to Cleveland's 12. Call it New Orleans 118, Cleveland 116, Cleveland keeping it close.
3/24 vs ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 113, shooting 51 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Mitchell at 24 and Mobley at 24 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Allen (8 straight), Porter Jr. (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Orlando comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 120, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Banchero at 25 and Bane at 17 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Fra. Wagner (18 straight), Black (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-6 a night and Orlando minus-7 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 113 a night to Orlando's 120. Call it Cleveland 121, Orlando 112.
3/25 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 119, shooting 50 percent and 35 from three, 27 free throws a game; Mitchell at 28 and Harden at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Allen (9 straight), Tyson (2 straight), Porter Jr. (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 130, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Adebayo at 24 and Powell at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-3 a night and Miami minus-11 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 119 a night to Miami's 130. Call it Cleveland 122, Miami 117.
3/27 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 117, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 28 free throws a game; Mitchell at 29 and Harden at 25 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Allen (10 straight), Tyson (3 straight), Porter Jr. (6 straight). One day's rest. Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 23 free throws a game; Adebayo at 24 and Herro at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 8 a night. Without Jović (2 straight), Smith (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-5 a night and Miami minus-8 and the defense, Cleveland allowing 117 a night to Miami's 126. Call it Cleveland 121, Miami 116.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
CHICS C. Sexton
GY G. Yabusele
JG J. Giddey
LM L. Miller
MB M. Buzelis
NR N. Richards
PW P. Williams
RD R. Dillingham
TJ T. Jones
CLEDS D. Schröder
DW D. Wade
EM E. Mobley
JH J. Harden
JT J. Tyson
KE K. Ellis
MS M. Strus
SM S. Merrill
SC Schroder
TB T. Bryant
CHI/CLE the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
James Harden scores 36 as Cavaliers hang on to beat Bulls 115-110 with Mitchell sidelined
CHICAGO -- — James Harden scored 36, Evan Mobley added 26 points and 14 rebounds and Cleveland hung on to beat the Chicago Bulls 115-110 on Thursday night even though Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell missed the game because of a bruised left eye.
Harden nailed seven 3-pointers. Jaylon Tyson chipped in with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and the Cavaliers hung on after a 29-point lead in the third quarter dwindled to one in the game’s closing minutes.
Chicago’s Tre Jones cut it to 103-102 when he made two free throws with 3:33 remaining. Sam Merrill answered with a 3 for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers were up 110-107 when Jones missed a potential tying 3 and Leonard Miller missed a layup with about a minute left. Harden hit a pull-up jumper to make it a five-point game with 33 seconds left and Cleveland hung on for the win.
Mitchell was hurt in a collision in practice with Mobley. The seven-time All-Star played through the injury in Cleveland’s victory at Milwaukee on Tuesday night and finished with 19 points on 4-for-14 shooting. He said after the game that he was having trouble seeing.
Coach Kenny Atkinson said the injury is “nothing serious,” but the Cavaliers need to “let it clear up.”
Jones scored 20 for Chicago, which lost for the fourth time in five games. Rob Dillingham added a season-high 17 points. Nick Richards finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.