Chicago Bulls lose home opener to Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime, 114-108
There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the Chicago Bulls’ home opener Halloween night. Chicago fans would finally get to watch Derrick Rose compete at home in a competition that counts, but what caused even more anticipation was the fact the Bulls were hosting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland came into the matchup with an unexpected 95-90 loss to the New York Knicks Thursday night, but there were no signs of slowing down, taking the 114-108 overtime win.
The Cavaliers had a slight lead to begin the game, but once the Bulls got their offense going, they were able to catch up and even take the lead; however, that all turned around when Chicago’s bench entered the game. What was a 25-21 Chicago lead turned into a 28-27 deficit by the end of the first quarter.
Chicago opened the second quarter by scoring six points in the first four minutes. Meanwhile, Cleveland put up nine points, giving them the 37-33 lead, but that lead only grew from there.
Despite coach Tom Thibodeau sending his starters back in to end the first half, the Cavaliers extended their lead to as many as eight points. The Bulls were still struggling to find an offensive rhythm, but they managed to find it to end the quarter.
The Cavaliers still went into halftime with the lead, but the Bulls had a bit of momentum after ending the first half with a combined eight points from the starting backcourt of Kirk Hinrich and Derrick Rose (Jimmy Butler sat out with his left thumb sprain).
That momentum came in handy to open the third quarter, especially when considering Chicago’s start. Pau Gasol made a pair of free throws for the first points of the quarter. Joakim Noah followed with a hook shot. Then, Rose attempted a left-wing three that came up short. But, on the other end of the court, Hinrich took a charge. Soon enough, he got a steal and hit a right baseline jumper that cut the deficit to three, 61-58, but it didn’t last long.
The Cavaliers took back their lead, and were able to maintain it more easily when the Bulls’ bench was in. They never accumulated a double-digit lead then, but they did end the third up 78-69. Chicago wasn’t going anywhere, though.
Chicago’s fourth-quarter comeback was a team effort, but it was the clutch play by Hinrich that really highlighted the period.
Once the game was tied at 82, the score remained close, but Cleveland still had the advantage. Hinrich completely changed the game when he hit three-straight baskets: two three-pointers and a long two. Those shots made the score go from 91-90 in Cleveland’s favor to 98-93 in Chicago’s favor.
It wasn’t enough, though. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving scored five more points to tie up the game and send it to overtime, and it was all Cleveland from there on.
The Bulls limited the Cavaliers to 39.4 percent from the field and 20.0 percent on threes, but what really hurt were the Cavaliers’52-42 rebounding advantage. Tristan Thompson alone had 12 offensive rebounds for Cleveland. Chicago also committed 19 turnovers compared to Cleveland’s nine.
Rose didn’t close out the game after spraining his ankle in second quarter despite playing in the third quarter. He actually went back to the locker room, and was ruled to have a left ankle sprain and questionable to return. Despite that, he still added 20 points on 8-for-16 from the field to go along with his four rebounds and four assists.
Taj Gibson also rolled his ankle, but he returned to close out the game.
Hinrich also added 20 points (7-11 FG, 3-5 3PT, 3-5 FT) to tie Rose as the team’s leading scorer. Mike Dunleavy had a near triple-double of 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Gasol contributed a near double-double of 15 points and nine rebounds. He also had a game-high six blocks.
Chicago, now 1-1, is back in action Saturday night in Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7 p.m. central.