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Bulls' Derrick Rose - Source: Reuters -
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Derrick Rose scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter
and drilled a decisive jumper with 1:44 remaining to help the
Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 86-85 on Friday.
Last season's Rookie of the Year, Rose added 11 assists as the
Bulls (3-2) held off the Cavaliers with an inspired defensive
effort.
"It's huge," Rose told reporters. "Our chemistry on offense really
isn't there yet. But you have time for that -- if you can continue
to stop people you'll be fine.".
League MVP LeBron James scored 25 points for the Cavaliers, but
lost the ball while driving to the basket for a potential
game-winning shot in the final seconds.
The Cavaliers (3-3), who had a 40-2 regular-season record at home
last season, have lost twice already this season in
Cleveland.
In a tightly contested game, the Cavaliers had possession as they
trailed by a point with four seconds to go but James drove to his
left and the ball slipped out of his hands as prepared to
shoot.
Wanted foul
James, who finished with seven rebounds and six assists, wanted a
foul called on the play but did not get the whistle.
"I felt a push and some contact up top," James said. "Enough to put
me on the free throw line? Yes, but it is a judgement call from the
refs, and he saw what he saw."
The Bulls took the lead for good when Taj Gibson made a jumper to
give the road team a 76-74 advantage with 7:03 remaining.
With his team trailing 86-82, James knocked down a 3-pointer to
pull Cleveland within one point with 1:32 left but neither team
would score again.
Luol Deng led the way for Chicago with 15 points and John Salmons
added 14. Deng also added seven rebounds and has played well this
year after missing the final 22 games of last season because of a
leg injury.
The Cavaliers have had an indifferent start to the year while
integrating new additions to the team including giant center
Shaquille O'Neal, who finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and five
blocks.
Anderson Varejao added 12 and 13 boards for the Cavaliers, who
shot just 40 percent from the field.
