D.J. Augustin scored 25 points in a start for Kirk Hinrich and Taj Gibson matched a career high with 26 filling in for Carlos Boozer as the Chicago Bulls improved to 7-2 since trading Luol Deng with a 98-87 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Augustin and Mike Dunleavy hit 3-pointers down the stretch to pace the Bulls, who at 21-20 moved over .500 for the first time since Nov. 22.
Deng went just 2 of 11 from the field in his first game against Chicago. The Bulls dealt the two-time All-Star forward to Cleveland on Jan. 6 for future draft picks.
Joakim Noah had 18 rebounds for the Bulls, who appeared to be looking toward the future when they traded Deng after losing superstar Derrick Rose to a season-ending injury.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 to lead Cleveland, which has dropped the first two games of a five-game homestand.
