Cavaliers vs Bulls 2014 Recap: Rose Scores Big Against Lebron

The Chicago Bulls might have lost against the Cleveland Cavaliers, 107-98, in their opening game on October 20, but Derrick Rose looked very much like his former self.

In a report by SB Nation, the Bulls point guard returned to action and scored 30 points, which consisted of a series of fancy layups, killer crossovers and 4-of-5 shooting from the three-point line. He was lightning quick especially in the first half, scoring 20 points in the process.

The 26-year-old 2011 MVP managed to play only 10 games in the 2013-2014 season and 39 games in the season before that due to injury on both knees. There was a lot of debate on whether he would be able to return to excellent form permanently. Experts were also a bit worried about him complaining on some soreness and discomfort over the injured area. However, his trainers indicated that it was just normal, considering that he came from a very long layoff.

According to USA Today, Derrick Rose is back for real. He shot 8-for-12 from the field during the first half to score 20 of his 30 points. He also shot three of his four three-pointers before halftime. It was a significant improvement, considering he has not scored more than 17 points in any preseason game. His lethal speed and explosiveness were back and there were times that even the normally quick Kyrie Irving appeared lost or glued to the floor. Rose slashed and obliterated the Cleveland defense plenty of times, posterizing two to three defenders in some cases.

For the Cavs, their point guard also did damage. Irving scored 28 points while center Anderson Varejao finished with 22 points and eight rebounds. Bleacher Report wrote that LeBron James scored 18 points while adding seven rebounds and six assists.

Rose was unarguably the best player on the court that night, adding five rebounds and three assists to his 30 points while playing just over 24 minutes. Ultimately, the Bulls lost but they walked away with a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that Rose is here to stay. The game indicated that the Cavs and Bulls may just be the two teams contending for the Eastern Conference crown in the current season. The Cavs up their record to 5-1 while the Bulls are 4-3.