The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 107-98. The game was played at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio where Ohio State plays. Kyrie Irving had a terrific game and really turned it on in the second half to finish with 28 points, seven assists on 10-of-19 shooting and 7-of-8 from the costless throw line. Anderson Varejao had an outstanding game with 22 points on 10-of-13 from the field and eight rebounds in 23 minutes. He also played very well defensively. Irving and Varejao had 60 points combined of the teams 98 points. LeBron James had 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and six assists.
Kevin Love had an off game only going 2-for-11 from the field, finishing with nine points, but he did have 13 rebounds. The Cavs played well offensively shooting 49 percent from the field and 81 percent from the costless throw line. The Cavs played their starters quite a bit as Irving played 39 minutes, Love 35 minutes, LeBron 32 minutes, and Waiters 33 minutes. They were likely doing it to get their chemistry going as their first regular season game is one week from this Thursday. Derrick Rose, for the Bulls, really came to play tonight with 30 points on 12-of 18-shooting and 4 three pointers. He also attacked the rim real well, and the Cavs had a hard time stopping him.
Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson were the Bulls other double figure scorers. They both had 12 points. The Bulls did only shoot 41.6 percent from the field and did not play well defensively, which last year they were one of the best defensive teams in the league. Although the Bulls didn't shoot well from the field, the game was only single digits because they did have more shot attempts and made more three pointers than the Cavs.
When LeBron was taken out in the fourth quarter, the crowd gave LeBron a really nice standing ovation. The fans are really looking forward to seeing him play this year after being with the Heat the last four years.
The Cavs tried to rebuild the team the last four years, and now they are a championship contending team again. Adding LeBron James, who is arguebaly the best player in the world, All-Star forward Kevin Love, and veterans Shawn Marion and Mike Miller, Cleveland is going to be a dominant team. LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving will form one of the best big 3's of any team in the league. It is likely going to be a battle between the Cavs and Bulls in the East this season. One question mark for the Cavs will be their defense, and that's what it will come down to for them to win the East.
The Chicago Bulls, if healthy, are a first or second seed in the East. Derrick Rose has looked good with USA and in preseason action and is preparing himself well for the season. If he plays at a high level, the Bulls could have a chance of winning the Eastern Conference finals. The Bulls also added Pau Gasol and rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic, who can space the floor well. Pau Gasol will replace Carlos Boozer at power forward, and Gasol will give them much better defense, passing, and interior scoring.
The Chicago Bulls will play their final game of the preseason on Friday, October 24. As for the Cavaliers, they play their final game on Wednesday, October 22 against the Memphis Grizzlies on ESPN.