OPENING TIP
The hype is about Kyrire Irving vs. Derrick Rose, and nothing wrong with that. It’s an intriguing first-time matchup. But Kyrie and the Cavaliers are more concerned with trying to get a road win. The Cavs have won all three at home and lost all four not at home. As an interesting (and perhaps more significant) aside, both Mike Brown and Irving hinted at a change to the starting lineup. But neither would provide details. Many are speculating it could be Andrew Bynum’s first start. And that may be the only thing that could overshadow Kyrie vs. D-Rose.
Venue: United Center, Chicago.
TV/Radio: 8 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
PROJECTED STARTERS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (3-4)
C Anderson Varejao
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG Dion Waiters
PG Kyrie Irving
CHICAGO BULLS (2-3)
C Joakim Noah
PF Carlos Boozer
SF Luol Deng
SG Jimmy Butler
PG Derrick Rose
Pregame notes:
• Even if Bynum doesn’t start, he’s expected to play tonight after resting in Saturday’s double-overtime win over Philadelphia. At any rate, Cavs rookie Carrick Felix (hernia) remains out and is the only listed injury for either team.
• Both Brown and Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau are devotees of defense. The Bulls held Utah to 29 percent shooting in their previous game. The Bulls shot 52 percent. It’s the first time in the team’s 50-year history they’ve shot better than 50 while holding the opponent to less than 30.
• Brown on the Irving-Rose matchup: "Two very good, young point guards that have different styles of play, but they both are very capable of putting their teams on their back and winning a game on both sides of the floor. That’s what’s exciting for the fans tonight."
