Cavs vs. Bulls: 3 Things We Learned

The Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Chicago Bulls handily with an impressive 106-95 win over a team that they hadn’t beaten in two games this season.

The Bulls have been struggling of late with the loss of key players in Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic, and Joakim Noah due to injuries.

Meanwhile, the Cavs just found out that one of the team’s most popular players, Anderson Varejao, was traded to the Portland Trailblazers in a three-team trade that also included the Orlando Magic where they received Channing Frye in exchange.

Varejao had spent his entire 12-year career in Cleveland and was one of the reasons why LeBron James was excited to come back home. Despite struggling of late with several DNP-CD’s to his name, Varejao has had some good moments this season.

Apparently, they weren’t enough to keep him in a Cavs uni.

Despite the loss of one of the pillars in the Cavs’ locker room, Frye is expected to be a better fit in Coach Tyronn Lue’s offense as he is the stretch four that the team needs if they are to make a push for the best record in the East.

More than that, he will be a key cog in their efforts to dethrone the Golden State Warriors should they meet in the NBA Finals.

Going back to the Cavs Vs. Bulls, here are three things we learned from the game:

When LeBron is aggressive, the team follows

LeBron took matters into his own hands early as he was aggressive with and without the ball from start to finish. He finished the game just a rebound and an assist short of his second triple-double of the season with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.

At the broadcasting booth, Reggie Miller noted how James was dipping his shoulder quite often to attack the rim. When he does that, good things happen for Cleveland and it was evident in this game with a good win over the Bulls.

James summarized his mentality for the game this way, via ESPN:

"“In the first two games we didn’t match their intensity and got beat. Today, I think we answered the call.”"

Kevin Love benefitted from LeBron’s driving and passing as he nailed one jumper after another. He had 15 points and 15 rebounds while nailing two three-pointers along the way.

Tristan Thompson was also the beneficiary of James’ dimes as the power forward-turned-center added 16 big points together with 10 rebounds.

When the ball moves, the team wins

The Cavs had 21 assists out of their 42 field goals which is a very good indicator that the ball was moving and the players were looking for the open man. Rarely did the Cavs play one-on-one basketball as James’ passing became infectious throughout the team.

Though LeBron had the ball in his hands most of the time, Kyrie Irving and JR Smith had four assists apiece as well, quite the accomplishment for shoot-first guards in the starting lineup.

Speaking of Irving, the young point guard had 19 points and two steals as well despite allowing his point guard counterpart with the Bulls, Derrick Rose, free access into the lane many times en route to a 28-point night. Not that it was Irving’s fault alone as Rose played masterfully, playing like he has never played since he came from several injuries.

The Cavs’ defense was superb for much of the night, taking down 42 defensive rebounds, to go along with eight steals and eight blocks.

Defense wins championships but it also wins regular season games

The Cavs’ defense was superb for much of the night, taking down 42 defensive rebounds, to go along with eight steals and eight blocks. They also contested many of the Bulls’ jumpers resulting in the team shooting only 39.8% from the field compared to the Cavs’ 46.2%.

There was a sense that the team was refreshed coming off the All-Star break. The defensive rotations were on point as the Bulls had to work for every shot they took.

Thompson was the anchor of Cleveland’s stingy defense, contributing three steals and two blocks while holding down the fort inside the paint against the Bulls’ All-Star center Pau Gasol.

Things got too physical between JR and Taj Gibson, though. Lue, however, didn’t seem to mind. He summed up his team’s focus on defense after the win.

"“I just like our physicality. I thought we were physical at every position and that’s what set the tone for us early. If we can play like that every night, I like our chances.”"

Well said, coach.

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The game was quite entertaining as the Cavaliers appeared to be on a mission as if they dedicated the game to the “Wild Thing.”

You will be missed, Andy.

The Cavaliers will be traveling for their next game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.