Cavs lose to Bulls in Cavaliers preseason opener, coach Kenny Atkinson's Cleveland debut
CLEVELAND — Preseason games don't count, but for the record, the coach Kenny Atkinson era started with a Cavaliers loss.
The Cavs fell 116-112 to the Chicago Bulls in the preseason opener Tuesday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. With the Cavs behind by two points, reserve point guard Craig Porter Jr. missed a 3-pointer in the waning moments. Then Bulls guard Dalen Terry made two foul shots with 0.1 seconds left.
Before tipoff, Atkinson explained he wanted to get players into rhythm and see different lineup combinations without revealing too much before the Cavs' regular-season opener Oct. 23 at Toronto.
The Cavs deployed their normal starters — guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, forward Evan Mobley, center Jarrett Allen and small forward Max Strus — along with other key players.
Mobley led the Cavs with 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field. He also grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots. Garland scored 13 points and dished out five assists. Mitchell added 12 points and four assists. They each logged 19 minutes, the same as Allen, who collected seven points and six rebounds. Sixth man Caris LeVert had 11 points in 17 minutes.
More Cleveland Cavaliers coverage: Evan Mobley's growth is high on Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson's list of priorities
Cavs forward Max Strus injured in preseason game
Unlike the final score against the Bulls, a Cavs development with potential regular-season ramifications lies on the injury front. Strus left the action with 8:21 left in the second quarter and did not return. The Cavs announced he suffered a right hip contusion. Dean Wade filled in for Strus, who played nine minutes but did not score.
Guard Coby White led the Bulls with 21 points in 25 minutes.
More on the Max Strus injury news: Cleveland Cavs starter sidelined during Cavaliers preseason opener vs. Chicago Bulls
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs lose preseason opener to Bulls in Kenny Atkinson debut
