Pau Gasol blocks LeBron James, Seals Win for Bulls

Guard Iman Shumpert joins Irving on the injured list, but power forward Anderson Varejao has returned after missing 56 games with a torn Achilles and played 12 minutes Tuesday.

"We fought hard, defended well, made enough shots to get the win and rebounded the (heck) out of the ball", Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said.

But with his favourite team taking on the best player on the planet in a rematch of last season's second round, Obama chose to take in this game. "And, again, we're one play away from maybe winning the game". While that shot was plenty tough, Butler allowed James the needed space on that play.

The Bulls, at the end of the process, are supposed to look smoother, more efficient and overall better on offense.

That closing duo may not stick for long. The bench came through big for the Bulls and is expected to with the minute reduction of several players. Tom Thibodeau's grinding style that focused on defensive tenacity has been replaced by Hoibert's space-and-pace system featuring Rose. The big man rotations were also a question.

"Oh, it's going to be exciting", said Courtney Lee.

Now a potential Finals is groomed early as Lebron James meets the post tandem of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. "The team was doing well offensively". However, if last night was any indication, Williams will be just fine. "You just have to find ways to contribute, and that's what I tried to do". Bulls fans got a scare when Rose came up limping slightly after stepping on LeBron's foot during a drive to the basket.

Chicago led 46-40 at halftime behind Hoiberg's spread offense, which featured three-point shooting from Mirotic, Doug McDermott and Tony Snell. James poured in 12 points on four-of-eight shooting to go along with his seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, while Jefferson and Dellavedova added 14, 12 and 12 points respectively.

Hoiberg had rave reviews for Mirotic afterward.

"Niko was great, not only hitting shots, but I thought he battled", Hoiberg said. You have to guard him.

"Stay on his body", Butler said of the key. Love has scored 35 points on 31 field goal attempts.

When his eye is open, it's not very useful. Of course, you ca expect to see a lot more of ZTE's logo around the Bulls and the Cavs, too. Nothing is guaranteed. That's the mentality everyone has to come and I think everyone was competitive and everyone fought in training camp.

 

Mirotic, starting over Joakim Noah, nailed three 3-pointers. "I am glad my Bulls are in the east", said Obama who was in Chicago to give a speech on Tuesday at the worldwide Association of Chiefs of Police conference. The company will support upcoming community events organized by the teams.