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Cavs Vs Bulls: Interesting Notes on Competitive Pre-Season Affair

By Jared Mueller

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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 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.
  • 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.

More from Factory of Sadness

  • 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.
  • The Cavs are going to be a fun team to watch and cover.

What kind of interesting points did you have for tonight?

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