The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls in a competitive pre-season game in Columbus. The Cavs Vs Bulls provided the type of regular season, playoff type excitement that we expected. The Cavs took the win 107 – 98.
There are a ton of interesting notes from a game that whet the appetite for fans of both teams and the NBA in general. Here are our notes from the game live:
- Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 30 points. Only Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson also scored more than nine points.
- Rose was efficient from the field, 12 of 18 and 4 of 5 from the 3 point line.
- Letting Rose get his points but holding down the rest of the Bulls is a great strategy for the high-powered Cavs.
- Surprisingly Joakim Noah andGasol didn’t have a great night on the boards, with 8 and 7 between them.
- The Cavs outboarded the Bulls 47 to 40.
- Kevin Love had 13 boards while Tristan Thompson had four offensive rebounds.
- The Cavs had a far more balanced attack compared to the Bulls.
- Four Cavs scored 10 or more including Kyrie Irving‘s team leading 28.
- Irving wasn’t as efficient as Rose but still shot 10 for 19 but had 7 assists.
- Playing out of Andy on the block helped open up the game some.
- Cavs defense was taken advantage of but hustled and rotated strongly.
- Ball and player movement was good early in the game but stagnated later.
- LeBron James, Dion Waiters and Irving took turns holding the ball.
- When any of them did the rest of the players stopped moving as well.
- Varejao has developed his offensive game and benefits from improved players around him.
- James deferred to Irving, when they were both on the floor, to initiate the offense.
- The Bulls biggest lead of the game was two while the Cavs led by 12 at one point.
- The Cavs ball movement and penetration will lead to a ton of dump offs to big men for dunks this year.
- Whether it was the National Title Game or his comments about Cleveland, Noah is hated and got booed strong all night.
- None of the 3rd stringers saw the court.
- Shane Edwards, Joe Harris, Brendan Haywood, James Jones, Alex Kirk and A.J. Price were all DNPs.
- Love struggled on offense but was still able to make an impact on the game.
- Big frontline of the Bulls could cause him trouble.
- Love missed all of his 3 point attempts.
- Along with his 13 boards he contributed 3 assists.
- His 9 points came mostly from 5 of 6 from the FT line.
- Dion Waiters did not lead the team in field goal attempts.
- Irving was tops with 19 followed by Varejao with 13.
- Waiters and James tied with 11 attempts.
- LeBron seems to be able to rest a ton of offense which is great news long-term.
- The offense is still a work in progress.
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- Cavs down to only 17 three pointers tonight.
- A good sign compared to the Mavericks game and with the Bulls interior defense.
- Shawn Marion hasn’t seen overly into the pre-season so far.
- Not a huge surprise for the long-term vet understanding his body.
- Matthew Dellavedova looks like he can provide appropriate backup point guard skills.
- His shot has improved.
- The Cavs Big 3 Plus have players who can take over the game at any time.
- Tonight it was Irving.
- James, Love and Waiters are all capable.
- It is Big 3 Plus because players like Waiters, Varejao and Thompson all contribute on a regular basis.
- The Cavs gave up a ton of ball penetration tonight.
- Not a big deal when it is Derrick Rose.
- Bigger deal when it is Kirk Hinrich, Mike Dunleavy, Aaron Brooks and Tony Snell.
- The Cavs are going to be a fun team to watch and cover.
What kind of interesting points did you have for tonight?
More from Factory of Sadness
- Four Cavs scored 10 or more including Kyrie Irving‘s team leading 28.