Cavaliers vs. Bulls: Score, Highlights, Reaction from 2016 Regular Season
Not only did Dwyane Wade get to see his friend, LeBron James, enter the United Center in Chicago Cubs gear prior to Friday night's game against his former teammate, but his Chicago Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 111-105.
Wade put up 24 points to help lead his Bulls, who were coming off a 96-90 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in which they blew a double-digit lead in the first half. But he also had plenty of help.
Two other Bulls put up 20 points as well. A scorching start from Taj Gibson, who hit his first nine shots from the field, carried him to 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler provided a team-high 26 points of his own.
It was Butler's 12th straight game with 20 or more points, which was the longest streak by a Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1998, via the ESPN telecast.
Not to be lost in the support, Rajon Rondo came up with his 29th career regular-season triple-double with 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
For the visitors, James followed a season-worst 5-of-14 shooting for 16 points during Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with a game-high 27 points and 13 assists. However, this is the first time the Cavaliers have lost three straight games since Dec. 1-5 in 2015.
Cleveland went to J.R. Smith early to get the night going, as the wing was hot from three-point land to start. He recorded nine of his team's first 11 points on the night while going 3-of-4 from distance.
It was a nice change of pace for a player who was struggling, via ESPN Stats & Info:
However, those were his only points of the night.
The Bulls, who aren't known for their outside shooting, combated with a strong interior game, as 78 of their 111 points on Friday night came from inside of the paint, via the NBA:
In the first half alone, 50 of their first 59 points were from within the paint as Gibson reaped the benefits, going 8-of-8 with 18 points to lead all scorers, via the Bulls:
Pippen Ain't Easy tried to sum up his performance:
He would hit his first shot of the second half to start 9-of-9 before missing a jumper to end the streak.
But with the likes of James and Kyrie Irving, Cleveland had no problem coming up with a rebuttal inside, via the NBA on ESPN:
It created a fast pace that didn't necessarily stress defense, as SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell marveled at both teams' play near the hoop:
Irving was responsible for creating plenty of those chances for the Cavaliers, as his facilitating capabilities were put on display Friday night as he added eight assists alongside his 20 points.
But Chicago's interior offense, which was being set up by Rondo, and a sudden organization of the defense proved to be a handful for Cleveland, as the Bulls started the second half on a 15-6 run, building a lead as large as 10.
By the end of the third quarter, Chicago was up by eight with 12 minutes to play, and the Cavaliers were facing their third straight loss, as Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com pointed out a disturbing trend:
A 14-6 run to start the fourth shrunk the Cavs' deficit further, but Wade and Butler proved to be too much of a handful on the offensive end to clinch Chicago's victory, via the NBA:
While Wade will get bragging rights for the time being over James, the Bulls also picked up a big win over the defending NBA champions that will surely boost morale moving forward.
However, the Bulls' depth issue continues to be a question mark, as their starters provided 98 of their 111 points on the night. While Chicago can steal a regular-season win against Cleveland, it's a dicey strategy to play with come the spring.
Postgame Reaction
While there shouldn't be much panic to a three-game losing streak from the Cavaliers, James laid down the gauntlet, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin:
He continued, via Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune
"We have to battle every night like we ain't won nothing. Last year was last year and after Ring Night it was over with. It's a new season and everyone is gunning for us every night. We have to understand that.
"
However, he did relish the opportunity to play his friend Wade, regardless of result, via Kuc: "We're on the other side of our careers but we're still able to make plays and when we get an opportunity to play against each other we're always grateful. It's always special."
Even Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg took a step back and enjoyed the matchup of two of the best players of this generation, via Kuc: "It's all in good fun. He and Dwyane obviously have an unbelievable relationship. Two very good friends who won championships together. Yeah, pretty cool."
The Bulls don't get the enjoy the win much though as they are on their way to Dallas to take on the Mavericks on Saturday. It will be the seventh time in eight games that they will be on the road.
Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.
