Bulls at Cavaliers
THE STORY: First, it was Boston’s Rajon Rondo. Then, it was New York’s Jeremy Lin. Now Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Kyrie Irving will receive his stiffest post-All-Star test yet on Friday when he faces off against reigning MVP Derrick Rose. Chicago will play Cleveland for the second time this season, but Rose missed the first meeting with a toe injury and the Bulls still won by 39 points. They’ve dominated this series since the Cavaliers lost LeBron James, winning six in a row.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports Net Plus, Fox Sports Ohio
ABOUT THE BULLS (29-8): Chicago survived a scare Wednesday night when Rose banged knees with San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker. Rose remained on the court for several minutes and appeared to be seriously injured, but was able to shake it off without incident. He has missed games to toe and back injuries this season, but the Bulls finally have their starting lineup intact with the return of Richard Hamilton. The Bulls have won four straight.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (13-20): Cleveland is barely hanging on in the playoff race. The Cavaliers started the second half with consecutive losses to the Celtics and Knicks and are now 3 1/2 games behind New York for the final playoff sport. Even more disturbing, Cleveland is 3-11 against the eight teams currently qualified for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are 0-4 this season against the Heat and Bulls, the top two teams in the East.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Irving was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month on Thursday for the second time this season. He also won the award in January.
2. Rose has scored at least 30 points in a game seven times this season.
3. Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison averaged 23.7 points against the Bulls last season.