Bulls 112 - 91 Cavaliers
Final
  for this game

Central rivals clash as Bulls visit Cavs

Mar 2, 2012 - 3:52 PM (Sports Network) - Reigning MVP Derrick Rose wasn't in the lineup the last time the Chicago Bulls squared off with No. 1 overall pick Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers back in January at Quicken Loans Arena.

Rose, also a No. 1 pick back in 2008, and Irving will finally go head-to-head tonight in the Forest City, as the Bulls target their fifth straight win. The Bulls slaughtered the Cavs, 114-75, on Jan. 20 in Cleveland thanks to a combined 40 points from Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer with Rose in street clothes because of a toe injury.

C.J. Watson and Kyle Korver teamed up for 29 points in that one for Chicago, which is unbeaten in six straight meetings with Cleveland. The Cavs shot a miserable 30.3 percent and were led by Anderson Varejao's 14 points. Irving posted 13 points in the Cavs' third straight loss to the Bulls at home.

Chicago has won four in a row and six of seven games, including Wednesday's 96-89 triumph over San Antonio in the Alamo City. Rose scored 29 points and Watson added 12 points in the opener of a three-game road trip, helping the Central Division-leading Bulls improve to 15-6 as the guest. Joakim Noah and Deng had 10 points apiece for Chicago, which improved to 29-8 on the season.

"We came in and knew it was going to be a hard game," said Rose. "It is like a playoff atmosphere. Their fans are great and our fans also supported us. They have great players and a great coaching staff. We just tried to come out and play a complete game."

The Bulls will close out the trek Sunday in Philadelphia.

Cleveland has dropped three in a row and six of nine games, including Wednesday's 120-103 loss at New York. Antawn Jamison had a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Irving added 22 points to go with seven assists for the Cavs.

"We just didn't do a good job of taking care of the ball, and we didn't do a good job of attacking," said Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott. "If they're going to be aggressive like that, you have to be aggressive back, and I didn't think we were."

The Cavs hope to halt a two-game slide at home and are 8-10 as the host.






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