Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points as the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers came back once again to preserve their 100 percent start to the season with a 119-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

The Cavaliers, who overcame a 14-point deficit to beat Brooklyn on Saturday, were forced to dig deep again, battling back from nine points behind in the third quarter for a road victory that moved them to 12-0 for the season .

Mitchell led another great overall offensive performance from Cleveland, which became the surprise of the season and is the only undefeated team in the league.

Six Cleveland players finished in double figures, with point guard Darius Garland adding 17 points and Evan Mobley 15.

Caris LeVert, Georges Niang and Ty Jerome all had 12 points each coming off the bench.

Meanwhile, Chicago was left to rue its inability to fully take the lead after taking an 85-76 lead with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.

Instead, Cleveland came roaring back with a 9-0 run to tie the game, then surged ahead to lead by three points heading into the fourth quarter, before closing out the victory by outscoring Chicago 24-21 in the last quarter.

Zach LaVine led Chicago’s scorers with 26 points, while Coby White and Nikola Vucevic had 20 points each. The Bulls fell to 4-7 with the loss.

“We dug deep,” Mitchell said after the win. “Honestly, the bench saved us. The starters were a little tired and I guess the teams are heading our way. But we persevered and we’re shouting to the bench for it – it’s a group effort.”

“For us to continue to be what we want to be, that’s what it’s going to take,” he added. “It was a complete team win – every night it’s someone different. We play for each other, being unselfish. We have to keep going.” (AFP)