Game Summary
The Wine & Gold travel to the Windy City tonight to take on the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Tipoff is at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Cleveland (0-1) will look to bounce back after falling, 95-90, in their home opener to the New York Knicks last night at The Q.
The two teams met in preseason action in Columbus, OH on October 20th with the Cavaliers coming away with a 107-98 victory. Kyrie Irving led Cleveland with a team and preseason-high 28 points on 10-19 (.526) shooting, while adding with a game-high seven assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals in 39 minutes. Anderson Varejao made his mark across the stat sheet by registering a preseason-high 22 points on 10-13 (.769) shooting to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 23 minutes.
Chicago (1-0) enters tonight's matchup having won their regular season opener, 104-80, on Wednesday against the Knicks in New York.
The Bulls relied on their trademark stingy defense under coach Tom Thibodeau, limiting the Knicks to 36.5 percent shooting.
BROADCAST INFO
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN
Where to Watch | Programming Note
RADIO: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron) Cavaliers Radio Network
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Probable Starters/Status Update*presented by Cleveland Clinic
Status Update: None to Report
Bulls: PG - Derrick Rose, SG - Kirk Hinrich, SF - Mike Dunleavy PF - Pau Gasol, C - Joakim Noah
Status Update: (Bulls) - Jimmy Butler, (Left Thumb Sprain, Questionable)
*Subject to change
Joe G's Three Keys
1. A Rose By Any Other Name – The Cavs saw first-hand in Columbus that Derrick Rose is back when he dropped 30 points on them. The Bulls have brought in some offensive weapons around him, but it’s still imperative to not let him explode. Rose has only played in four of the last 11 matchups against Cleveland, and the Cavs have traditionally done a good job against him. But Kyrie will need to make him work on both ends.
2. United They Stand – Any opponent who’s played at the United Center – where the Bulls have sold out 164 straight games – knows it’s a daunting task, and tonight is Chicago’s home opener. The Cavaliers have to weather the initial storm – as New York did to them on Thursday – and find their footing by the second quarter.
3. Front and Center – The Bulls have a tough frontcourt – including the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Joakim Noah. But their starting forwards, Pau Gasol and Mike Dunleavy – can’t match the athleticism of LeBron and Love. If Kyrie and Rose play to a draw and Anderson Varejao can mitigate his Windy City doppelganger, the Cavs forwards should have an advantage.
Head-to-Head Matchup
The Cavs trail the all-time series to the Bulls 81-114 (Home 50-47, Away 31-67).
The last time the two teams met in the regular season, Kyrie Irving topped 20 points for the fourth straight game with a team-high 26 points on 10-19 (.526) shooting, including 5-7 (.714) from the three-point line, six rebounds, a team-high tying five assists. Anderson Varejao posted his second consecutive double-double (11th this season) with 10 points on 5-10 (.500) shooting, a team-high 11 rebounds (seven offensive), a team-high tying five assists.
Where to Catch the Action
TV: FOX Sports Ohio, ESPN, Radio: WTAM 1100, 100.7 WMMS, 87.7 FM La Mega, AM 1590 WAKR (Akron)
For live in-game updates, follow @cavs, @CavsJoeG, @CavsFredMcLeod, @MrCavalier34, @CavsJMike, @chones22 and @ElalcaldeRafa on Twitter.
Programming Note: FOX Sports Ohio is airing the Blue Jackets – Maple Leafs game (7:00pm) and the Cavs – Bulls game (8:00pm). More Info | View Conflict Schedule
On Deck
After tonight’s game, the Wine & Gold will continue their road trip this coming Tuesday as they head to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers at 10:00 p.m. ET.