Cavaliers Secure Top Seed, Aim for Championship

The Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a decisive 135-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls, marking the first time they have achieved this without LeBron James. Darius Garland led the team with 28 points, while Evan Mobley contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Cavaliers, who have a 63-16 record, played without All-Star Donovan Mitchell due to an ankle sprain but demonstrated depth with strong performances from Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter. The win grants them home-court advantage in the playoffs, a crucial asset as they aim for their second championship. The Bulls were significantly undermanned, missing several key players, and are now tied with Miami for ninth in the East, facing a critical play-in game. The Cavs' success this season is attributed to the effective leadership of first-year coach Kenny Atkinson and a robust roster that has managed to excel even in Mitchell's absence.