National Basketball Association

Cavaliers-Bulls pregame dribbles

Published Oct. 20, 2014 6:02 p.m. ET

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Tipoff: The Schottenstein Center, Ohio State University, 7 p.m.

TV: FOX Sports Ohio. Radio: WTAM 1100.

Records: Cavaliers (4-1 preseason); Bulls (4-2).

Projected Starters

Bulls: C Joakim Noah; PF Pau Gasol; SF Mike Dunleavy; SG Jimmy Butler; PG Derrick Rose.

Cavaliers: C Anderson Varejao; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SG Dion Waiters; PG Kyrie Irving.

Injury Report

Bulls: Butler (probable).

Cavaliers: Moondog (sick) out.

Dribbles

1. You may or may not have seen Zac Jackson's story on what James said from Columbus on the Cavs and Bulls. If not, I'll start by saying you should check it out here.

2. I like how LeBron suggested the Cavs need to go through some adversity. "That's the only way we're going to be able to grow," he insisted. "You don't define yourself during the good times."

3. It just goes to show that James learned a lot (as suspected) during his time with the Heat. In 2010, he and Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh got on a stage and promised way more than the two rings they won together. That's not intended to pick on LeBron â he regrets some of the off-court hype he generated earlier in his career. It's just to show how much he's matured, how much he's learned from past experiences.

4. Plus, James speaks the truth. The Cavs are not likely to be anywhere close to the team they can still become. On the bright side, they're pretty doggone good as is. But you have to stay determined and you have to play together. No one at this level wins on talent alone.

5. Also before the game, coach David Blatt said the Cavs will be playing the Big Three of James, Love and Irving together quite a bit. This is the final test before the real thing next week -- so Blatt wants to get a good look at the rotation, etc. James is sitting out Wednesday's preseason finale at Memphis, and several others may as well.

6. Since this game is supposed to be closer to what the Cavs will look like in the regular season, a reporter asked Blatt if Varejao is officially his starting center (as opposed to Tristan Thompson). "Not by any means," Blatt answered.

7. The Cavs will depart for Memphis immediately after the game. So while LeBron isn't playing Wednesday, he will be there. Not sure why, but a lot of fans have been asking.

8. That's it for now. I'll talk to you after the game. I never get to cover Ohio State, so covering an NBA game here is pretty cool for me -- even if it is just the preseason.