CLEVELAND (AP) – Lauri Markkanen scored 31 points and the Chicago Bulls won consecutive games for the first time this season, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-92 on Sunday night.
Markkanen had 14 points in the third quarter, including a four-point play late in the period that sparked an 18-5 run in the game between the teams that began the tied for last in the Eastern Conference.
The 6-foot-10 forward hit a 3-pointer from the left wing and made the free throw after being fouled by David Nwaba. Justin Holiday had a 3-pointer on the next possession, extending the lead to 84-72.
Cleveland led 67-66 midway through the third period before Chicago took over. Markkanen scored a season-high 32 points Friday in a victory over Orlando.
Kris Dunn added 17 points, and Holiday had 15 for Chicago.
Larry Nance Jr. led Cleveland with 20 points, and Cedi Osman and Jordan Clarkson each had 17. Rookie point guard Collin Sexton was 3 of 16 from the field and scored six points. Cleveland has lost five of six.
Nwaba fell awkwardly in the fourth quarter and was down for several moments with an apparent left leg injury. He was helped to the locker room by his teammates and was unable to put much weight on his leg.
Markkanen made 11 of 18 shots and had five 3-pointers. He hit two 3-pointers and had 10 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter.
The Bulls are 4-6 under Jim Boylen. He took over when Fred Hoiberg was fired Dec. 3.
