James Scores 41, Leads Cavs Past Bulls

LeBron James had 41 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals to propel the Cavaliers past the Bulls in a 103-97 home victory. Teammate Zyrdunas Illgauskas notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Delonte West contributed 16 points in a reserve role.

Ben Gordon lead Chicago with 31 points, rookie Derrick Rose added 20 points and 7 assists, and Luol Deng had 18 points for the losing Bulls.

Rose commenced the game by nailing a jumper on the Bulls’ first possession and then nabbing a lazily thrown Mo Williams pass which led to a vertical-opposed fast break dunk moments later.

He then went on the score the Bulls' first 6 points of the quarter and 8 of their total 15 (4 of them fast-break, one assist, and one steal). However, Rose went on to miss his next three field goals.

The Cavaliers, however, were a force themselves and came back to institute a 13-2 run midway through the first quarter and held on to the lead going into the second.  

LeBron James  injured himself with 1:20 remaining, coming down off a layup on the sneaker of Derrick Rose.  James hobbled around before being fed a layup by Wally Sczerbiack despite his injury.  James grimaced on the sideline, attempting to stretch out his calf, but returned in the second quarter

Cleveland also out-rebounded Chicago 12-9, LeBron captured five of those.

Rose also displayed pockets of range, swishing a three pointer for the Bulls in the second quarter.

LeBron bullied the Bulls down low, scoring 18 first half points as the Cavs’ took a 57-45 lead at intermission.

Deng imported 9 points in the third during the Bulls run that cut  Cleveland’s lead to eight, but LeBron countered producing 14 points of his own to ward off Chicago’s comeback antics. 

Gordon knifed into the lane, highlighting a 7-0 run that cut Cleveland’s lead to seven. However, it was short-lived as Lebron went on a personal 7-0 run  that elevated the lead back to 14 to seal the victory for Mike Brown and (3-2) Cavs'.

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