NBA -- Too much Love hurts Bulls

INDIANA -- When they stumbled off the gates and fell 1-3 to start this 2019-20 NBA season, slow starts have been a thorn on the Chicago Bulls' side.

But on Wednesday night in Cleveland (Thursday morning RP time), in the neighboring Midwest state of Ohio, it was a bad finish that short-circuited the Bulls.

After taking an 82-80 lead through three quarters, Chicago watched Cleveland unload 37 points in the fourth quarter, allowing the Cavaliers to walk out of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with a hard-fought 117-111 victory.

"As the game wore on, their energy grew, ours didn't," a dismayed Bulls head coach Jim Boylen told ESPN as his team heads home to the United Center to host the Detroit Pistons on Friday night (Saturday morning in the Philippines.)

All-Star Kevin Love punished the Bulls with 17 points and 20 rebounds. Tristan Thompson inflicted similar damage with 23 points and 10 boards. Point guard Collin Sexton darted 18 markers while top reserve Jordan Clarkson sizzled for 17 off the bench.

Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen each had 16 points, but Chicago made only 39 of 90 field goals (43.3 percent) and 14 of 39 from long distance (35.9 percent).

It was a sharp contrast to the Cavaliers, who sank 41 of 78 shots, an impressive 52.8 percent clip. Cleveland also hit 10 of 24 threes (41.7 percent).

At 1-4, the Bulls are tied with the New York Knicks for last place in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers, at 2-2, is No.8.

The Cavs improved to 2-2.