Flash back to last spring, when the only thing more certain than Cleveland defeating Chicago in the conference semifinals was how quickly they would do it.
The Cavs did it in six games, humiliating a Bulls team that saw Tom Thibodaux coach his last game at the United Center and LeBron James win his third playoff series against them in the last five years. Since 2009-10, the Bulls have a 5-16 postseason mark against James-led clubs. Be it with Miami or Cleveland, James has always been Chicago's Achilles heel; the unwavering roadblock Derrick Rose and company can't veer around.
It's only appropriate that NBA schedule makers put the budding rivalry on display opening night. Cavs starters Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving fully recovered from injuries that kept them out of the Finals, and Derrick Rose - Chicago's oft-bandaged star - is ready to suit up following surgery to repair a fractured orbital bone.
Still, the significance of the new season's first premiere game isn't lost on Rose.
"If anything, it makes you want to play against him even more," Rose said of James. "He's a great player. That team is great. And if anything, he pushes you to work harder on your game and make the team work harder.
"This is all happening for a reason. We don't know what the reason is now. But we're hoping it will lead to a championship."
The Bulls and Cavs meet for the first time since May 14 when a superior Cleveland team ran the home squad out of their own arena. For Chicago, a win Tuesday night would the first step in a long road to redemption.
When: Oct. 27, 2015
Where: United Center, Chicago, Ill.
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Television: TNT
Live stream: NBA.com, TNT Overtime
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
