The Sports Network
Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - Rookie Dion Waiters scored a game-high 18
points and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for an 86-83 victory over the
Chicago Bulls in a preseason clash from the University of Illinois' Assembly
Hall.
Waiters, the fourth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, hit on 7-of-12 field
goal attempts and shot a perfect 4-of-4 from three-point range.
Fellow rookie Tyler Zeller contributed 10 points and Anderson Varejao pulled
down 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which began its preseason schedule with a
97-80 loss to Milwaukee on Tuesday.
The Cavaliers jumped out to a 27-19 lead after one quarter and extended their
advantage to 50-29 at halftime behind nine points from both Zeller and Luke
Harangody.
Chicago opened the second half with a 14-0 run, however, and later tied the
contest at 63-63 on Marco Belinelli's jumper to begin the fourth quarter.
Waiters hit a three-pointer on the other end, however, and the Cavaliers would
go up by as many as 10 points heading into the final two minutes before
staving off Chicago down the stretch.
Hinrich paced a Chicago squad playing without star guard Derrick Rose (knee)
with 14 points. Taj Gibson added 12 for the Bulls, who kicked off their
preseason with a 92-88 win over Memphis on Tuesday.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network