Bulls squeak by Cavs 86-85

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer Nov 6, 12:20 am EST

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CLEVELAND (AP)—For a split second, LeBron James(notes) appeared to be on his way to bailing out the Cleveland Cavaliers once more.

Luol Deng(notes) and Joakim Noah(notes) put a stop to that.

Chicago’s forwards double teamed James and denied the superstar on a drive in the final seconds as the Chicago Bulls ended Cleveland’s three-game winning streak with an 86-85 win Thursday night, the Cavaliers’ second home loss already this season.

James thought there was sufficient bumping to get a foul called on either Deng or Noah.

The Bulls, and the officials, saw it differently.

“I didn’t feel like it was even close to being a foul,” said Noah, who left guarding Shaquille O’Neal(notes) on the decisive play to help his teammate. “I wasn’t worried because there was no contact at all.”

Derrick Rose(notes) had 14 points and 11 assists and John Salmons(notes) added 14 points for the Bulls, who dropped the Cavs to 1-2 at home. Cleveland didn’t lose its second game at home last season until April 16 and went 45-3 at Quicken Loans Arena.

Down 86-85, the Cavaliers, who sputtered on offense all night, buckled down and made the defensive stop they needed by forcing a shot-clock violation. Cleveland called a full timeout and set up a play, but before they could inbound the ball, Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro called a 20-second T.O. to reset his defense.

James took the pass and got a step on Deng in the lane. As he neared the basket, Noah came over and bumped James, who lost the ball as he elevated. It went out of bounds with two-tenths of a second left, and the referees awarded it to Chicago. Just to make sure, they watched a video replay to confirm their call.

As they huddled at the scorer’s table, James came over to give his view on the play.

After the horn, James made one last visit to officials Ron Garretson, Michael Smith and Eli Roe. There was nothing he could do at that point but shrug his shoulders and head to the locker room.

“It’s a call you think you may get,” James said. “I felt a push from Deng and some contact over the top from Noah. Enough to put me on the free throw line? Yes. But that’s a judgment call for the officials.”

Deng was confident someone would come to his aid.

“I knew my help would be there,” he said. “I just couldn’t give him a straight line drive. He’s so good that you have to slow him down if he’s going to drive. I knew Jo was coming with help.”

James led the Cavaliers with 25 points. Shaquille O’Neal had 14 and 10 rebounds and Anderson Varejao(notes) added 12 with 13 boards. But Cleveland’s offense never got into a flow and the Cavs didn’t help themselves by going 12 of 20 on free throws.

“We had a chance to win at the end,” O’Neal said. “If we limit some of our silly mistakes, we’ll be fine.”

Brad Miller(notes) scored 10 points and Chicago’s reserves outscored Cleveland’s 25-12 in a choppy game between the Central Division rivals.

“Neither team could make a shot,” James.

He went down twice in the first half with apparent injuries while running off the floor.

First, he rolled his left ankle after pulling up under Cleveland’s basket. Then, he banged himself hard on a chair while diving into the seats going after a loose ball. As James was being checked by trainer Max Benton, the entire Cleveland team and coaching staff walked over to make sure he was OK.

“I took some good shots tonight, and it wasn’t even from the Bulls,” James said. “I’ve had better days and I’ve had worse.”

With the Cavaliers making their only trip this season to New York on Friday, James knows the atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden will be more electrified. He’s eligible for free agency after the season, and Knicks fans are praying he’ll come to the Big Apple and resurrect their NBA franchise.

James is prepared for another round of questions about his intentions next summer and joked that he hasn’t ruled out signing with any team.

“I thought about playing everywhere, for every team in the NBA,” he said diplomatically.

Even the Clippers?

“Everywhere,” he said, smiling. “At one point in my life I thought about playing for every team. All of them.”

NOTES: Actor Jeremy Piven, who plays superagent Ari Gold, on HBO’s popular “Entourage” series, sat courtside. James made a cameo in last season’s finale. … James was excited that his beloved Yankees won their 27th World Series title. He also understands the frustration felt by some baseball fans because of New York’s exorbitant payroll. “But at the end of the day, guys still got to go out there,” he said. “Money can’t help you swing the bat. Money can’t help you grab the ball. Money can’t help you turn double plays and money can’t help you close out games.” … Bulls F Tyrus Thomas(notes) played 12 minutes. He missed Tuesday’s game and Wednesday’s practice with the flu. He flew commercial to Cleveland after he was cleared by a doctor. “It was bad, helpless,” Thomas said. “Fever, chills, vomiting, I couldn’t eat. I’m better now.”

Updated Nov 6, 12:20 am EST
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252 Comments

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  1. richard s
    252. Posted by richard s Fri Nov 6 10:03pm EST

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    join the champion los angeles lakers and you will be smiling every season with a ring!!!
  2. !3abi_dem
    251. Posted by !3abi_dem Fri Nov 6 7:19pm EST

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    what pisses me off about this is that the cavs are better when shaqs on the bench that's based on wat i can see. cmike brown needs to stop focusing on getting shaq touches and needs to star focusing on building a system for lebron , shaq should just be there to score off what lebron gives up. i hate watching the cavs come out in the 1st q and feed shaq over nd over. like i miss the cavs who had the intentions of blowing there oppenents out in the 1st half.
  3. mikey
    250. Posted by mikey Fri Nov 6 7:18pm EST

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    Come to the Celtics and then you can be a part of the best team ever!
  4. Dennis
    249. Posted by Dennis Fri Nov 6 6:17pm EST

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    246: Yes I DO! He came to my hometown this summer (Mo Williams' hometown) for Mo's basketball camp. He behaved himself like an arrogant fool; refusing to interact with fans (who were there to see HIM), and YES HE DID refuse to sign autographs for, or take pictures with THE KIDS who were paricipating in the camp! He stayed less than 30 minutes and his attitude was so nasty that everyone was glad to see him leave! News footage of his garish behavior was broadcast STATEWIDE here! So, to answer your question, I am familiar with MR. James and his ego!
  5. hahaha
    248. Posted by hahaha Fri Nov 6 6:14pm EST

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    he should have done one of his "trick" shots since that's all he seem to practice... hahahahaha
  6. hahaha
    247. Posted by hahaha Fri Nov 6 6:09pm EST

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    why didn't he do his "trick" shot at half court?!?! hahahaha
  7. Steven
    246. Posted by Steven Fri Nov 6 6:03pm EST

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    Ok 244 ,how do you know that he doesn't give autographs to kids and that he is not nice?you don't know for sure that he doesn't give people autographs and he is not a nice person.
  8. Steven
    245. Posted by Steven Fri Nov 6 5:57pm EST

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    Paching, you are calling me a wannabe thug but what about you, don't you listen to soulija boy and snoop dogg?
  9. Dennis
    244. Posted by Dennis Fri Nov 6 5:53pm EST

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    I hope no one is offended by my saying this: Lebron is a gifted ball player, but he's not a very nice person, even to little kids who just want his autograph! I'm glad to see him taking it on the chin so far this season! I hope it continues! Maybe they will miss the playoffs and somehow, if it's possible with an ego that huge, he will come back a more humble human being and complete ball player!
  10. <i>brubakerspub</i>
    243. Posted by brubakerspub Fri Nov 6 5:48pm EST

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    # 235- it counts the playoffs in which Cavs were 6-1 + regular season 39-2 = 45-3. If you want to be really accurate they also were 1-2 in preseason games in 2008 making record at home to 46-5.
  11. Jeff C
    242. Posted by Jeff C Fri Nov 6 5:31pm EST

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    TOYA I COMPLETELY AGREE! Great points made there. Everybody starts out driving and dunking, jordan, kobe, carter. But if they're not showing the foundation of a more complete game 7 years into their career...well then look at vince carter and tracy macgrady. Enough said. HAHAHA. True greats like Kobe and Jordan know they can't fly forever, so they develop the fadeaway or the off the dribble jumper to let their knees last a few more years. I don't see that from Lebron yet. Kobe isn't as explosive as he used to be but he knows his shot is good enough to fake a guy into the air and go for the drive. With Lebronze, everyone knows what's coming.

    To Markie #230, while your logic makes sense, I respectfully disagree. Last year the Lakers won both of their regular season games and in both games Bynum was a nonissue. Will they contend for 2-3 years? Absolutely. But 2-3 more titles? I doubt that. Teams are getting better in both conferences, frankly I only give the Lakers 1-2 more finals appearances to make it happen before Kobe's eventual decline. GO LAKERS!
  12. TBD
    241. Posted by TBD Fri Nov 6 5:03pm EST

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    They're creepy and they're kooky
    Mysterious and spooky
    They're all together ooky
    The Cleveland Cavaliers.

    Don't worry, Cavaliers fans. You'll be in a good draft position, this year. Maybe you can get a CENTER. Then all you have to do is worry WHEN LEBRON LEAVES, and WHEN WEST GETS OUT OF PRISON.....
  13. Tim K
    240. Posted by Tim K Fri Nov 6 4:51pm EST

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    all the hate lol ...shaq is better than Z..flat out. Im sure ferry will aquire some more talent as the season moves along..
  14. <i>antonio.golden</i>
    239. Posted by antonio.golden Fri Nov 6 4:50pm EST

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    Yeah he is but people act like there scared to say it , like for real man its time to walk away you not about to Bret Farve the game Shaq. Honetly you had a hall a fame career walk away now BRO
  15. erick
    238. Posted by erick Fri Nov 6 4:45pm EST

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    228 nailed it on the head, shaq is lame, he washed up la, miami and phx yet people are still swinging on his wrinkled balls. poob lbj, he will suffer the same fate as d wade and kobe, except i really hope lbj can get a ring at least once. I bet phx is mnissng marion right about now, stupid old fat wash up.
  16. <i>antonio.golden</i>
    237. Posted by antonio.golden Fri Nov 6 4:41pm EST

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    lol! I told America that Shaq wouldn't work for Queen James" Queendom" I am a Lebron Hater ! Because he is over rated! He lacks the character of a true leader, when he loses a game he wines and fails to own up to loosing. You know I think if he changed his attitude towards loosing he might have a chance at being great. David Stern lets him take three to four steps every time he drives to the basket because he needs that revenue, he needs another Jordan. But I tell you something the NBA can try as hard as they want to recreate that Man (Mike Jordan the Great) but it will never ever happen, never. Shaq needs to call it quits or come off the bench. Mo Williams who are you? When Queen James leaves next year no one will remember your name Mo. To the true Cavs fans ( Not those 2004 L James Di*K riding fans) I hope that you all protest for Mike Brown to be fired today! Not later today! He lost yall that playoff series against the magic, he was exsposed and lacks the ability to make game adjustments. But just take this as a lesson next time you get a great player around you make sure you get an outstanding coaching staff that want let there Star Player call there own plays and that just want sit on the bench and say just pass him the ball and let him make us win. Thats not coaching Brown, not coaching at all. To the true Cav fans Good Luck...
  17. <i>supastar44</i>
    236. Posted by supastar44 Fri Nov 6 4:34pm EST

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    Did anyone catch Lebron James travel on two separate occasions during his last drive.. then he has the nerve to cry to the ref that he was fouled! Give it up Lebron.. learn the basics before we WITNESS your lack of dribbling skills.
  18. <i>deevers24</i>
    235. Posted by deevers24 Fri Nov 6 4:20pm EST

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    45-3? try 39-2
  19. The Ronald
    234. Posted by The Ronald Fri Nov 6 4:19pm EST

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    I said it before the season started, Shaq will clog up the lane and make LeBron a less effective player. And he plays no perimeter defense and will get killed on pick and roll. The Cavs have lost two home game in less that 5 games played, and will not , hear me will not have the best record in the East. They have not played the Celtics or Magic will result in 0 's for the them. He Lebron has not won anything and the thinking that Shaq will get a ring for the King is absurd.
  20. Toya
    233. Posted by Toya Fri Nov 6 3:56pm EST

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    The sad thing about LJ's career is that when his knees start getting bad about 5years from now what will his "witness" band wagon say because all he can do is dunk or drive to the basket. He has a lil jumper but shouldn't every NBA player? It's fun to watch players like Kobe for middle age guys because you never know how he's gonna get it done, you just know he will. Most young cats like LJ because they know he gone get the rock, hold it, drive, or kick it out to somebody who can "really shoot" a jumper. Real Talk.
  21. Toya
    232. Posted by Toya Fri Nov 6 3:47pm EST

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    It so silly how one man can be alright with calling another "king" just because he is good at a sport. And he doesn't have a championship after us waiting 7+ years. If anybody should be called king because of a sport it should be Jordan or Tiger. Nike has made more than that 90 mil they initially gave LJ because silly people read into the hype. LJ is good but come on, didn't you know coaches would find a way to slow down his only effective move, a dunk or layup. If they really want to put some effectiveness on this young cat they will give him a run and gun team so nobody can have time time set up defense while he uses his only effective dunks or layups. Everything about Lj's life is starting to look like Kobe's. He isn't even getting triple doubles anymore, so far.
  22. Leo
    231. Posted by Leo Fri Nov 6 3:37pm EST

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    Cavs have one big mistake this season. Which is adding Oneal to the Cav. Shaq + Leborn? It seems like the good package deal? Wake Up! We are not watching Movies or playing Video Games. Reality is Oneal need to retired. Yes, he can put up some numbers on the table (ave. 10points 10 reb). The consequence is the Oneal Defense is course more than his performance. If I were mike brown, I will put back Shaq on the bench and bring back the starting lineup like last years.
  23. markie
    230. Posted by markie Fri Nov 6 3:09pm EST

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    the cavs dont have a go-to guy other then Lebron.... no other championship winning team had only one go-to guy. they might of had one superstar but there were other guys on the team capable of finding the hoop in tight situations. The Lakers of the past aside from Magic, had Worthy, Karim, etc etc, the Celtics aside from Bird had Ainge, Mchale etc... the Bulls aside from Jordan had Pippen. and so on..... the Cavs unfortunetly have noone and they are so predictable... give the ball the Lebron and get out of the way seems to be the only play late in the game. All the other teams have adjusted to that, simple as that. The celtics will easily go to the finals this year taking Garnet is healthy. So far there isnt a team that could look the Celts straight in the eyes. With 3 allstars on the team, even in their 30's its no easy task. I just laugh at people that say they are old while they are blowing away teams this year up and down the court... looking at statistics they played like 6 games and in only one quarter of the 24 quarters combined played did they loose, but end up winning the game anyway. i say they still have 2-3 titles in them before rebuilding starts. Not bad for old timers!
  24. paa
    229. Posted by paa Fri Nov 6 2:49pm EST

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    Lebron James might want to consider Toronto for his next team. I' am sure Bryan Colangelo would bring back Chris Bosh. Imagine James, Bosh, Turkuglo & Bargnani playing together. It would be a dynamite team.
  25. LU32
    228. Posted by LU32 Fri Nov 6 2:35pm EST

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    It looks like all those bandwagon Cavs fans that said Shaq was still a dominant player and that he didn't need to play good defense for them have nothing to say. its about time you found out what we in LA and Miami And phoenix already knew. 20 million for 10 points please don't make me laugh.
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