Bulls 86, Cavaliers 85

In a great NBA matchup, the Bulls were able to sneak past the Cavaliers in Cleveland. All in all, this was a decent game from both teams. Whoever says NBA players don’t play defense during the regular season would sound foolish in this game. Players were playing the ball as if there were NCAA rules in play (5 seconds closely guarded, let’s go!).

The game was close the whole way, but it seemed like Chicago was controlling the tempo of the game. Both teams had 5 players with double figures as the Bulls were led by Luol Deng (15pts) and the Cavs by LeBron (25pts, 7rebs, 6ast). By the end of the fourth quarter, Chicago had seemingly pulled away as they were up 4 points with about a minute and a half to play. This is when the game got interesting.

LeBron decided to go “all Phillip Rivers!” (DirecTV Commercial anyone?), hitting a huge pull up three to put the Cavaliers within a point. Chicago came down the floor, and looked helpless with no-one willing to fill the shoes of ex-Bull finisher, Ben Gordon. Giving the ball back to the Cavs, Mo Williams decided to go “all Mo Williams!” bricking a floater, giving the ball back to Chicago. Cleveland dug in, and was able to force a 24 second clock violation, as all 5 Bulls in the game were looking to pass the ball to Gordon (“Guys, he’s in Detroit now remember?”).

So here we go, 4 seconds to play, and everyone in the arena knows who is getting the ball. LeBron takes the inbound, and drives hard to the left side of the goal. There he recieves legitmate contact from Joakim Noah and Deng. Everyone in the arena, expecting a foul call, was stunned to see that there was no call. I still havent decided if I think LeBron was fouled, so I’ll have to get The Ref’s opinion.

What I liked about this game:

Bulls Rookie Taj Gibson (LSU) started the game and played solid. 11pts and 7 rebs.

What I disliked about this game:

Mike Brown. Mike Brown is blessed with one of the most dynamic players in NBA history, yet can’t seem to win close games. You coach the 21st ranked offensive team with a guy who could get a triple-double at will. Do something.

-G