Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers
didn’t open their season how many anticipated.
But they didn’t have much time to dwell on Thursday’s disappointing home
opener, and that showed with a hard-fought overtime victory against a division
rival on Friday.
James scored 36 points with eight rebounds to lead Cleveland to a 114-108 win
over the Chicago Bulls in the first installment of what proves to be a heated
rivalry between the two teams.
Tristan Thompson deposited 16 points with 13 rebounds — 12 coming on the
offensive glass — and Kevin Love contibuted a 16-point, 16-rebound double-
double for the Cavs, who were 2-8 over their last 10 in Chicago.
Kyrie Irving totaled 23 points in the win.
Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich each scored 20 points for the Bulls, but Rose
left the game late in the third with a sprained left ankle and did not return
to the contest.
Pau Gasol netted 15 points with nine boards and Mike Dunleavy added 14 points
in the setback.
