Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James pumps his fist after scoring during overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014. Cleveland won 114-108 in overtime. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
CHICAGO — LeBron James bounced back from a sub-par performance in his Cleveland homecoming the night before to score 36 points as the Cavaliers defeated Chicago 114-108 in overtime on Friday.
Thursday’s loss to the New York Knicks surely wasn’t the season-opener James was hoping for but that was all forgotten Friday at the United Center as the four-time most valuable player also had eight rebounds in the Cavaliers’ first win of the young NBA season.
It was a far cry from his 17 points, eight turnovers against the Knicks. That marked the first time in his career that he had at least eight turnovers, fewer than 20 points and fewer than five assists.
James was also much more active with the ball against the Bulls, driving 18 times to the basket compared to just four drives on Thursday.
Tristan Thompson finished with 16 points with 13 rebounds and Kevin Love had a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double for Cleveland, who were 2-8 over their last 10 in Chicago. Thompson had a dozen offensive rebounds.
Kyrie Irving had 23 points in the win.
Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich each scored 20 points for the Bulls, but Rose left the game late in the third with a sprained left ankle and did not return.
Pau Gasol scored 15 points with nine boards and Mike Dunleavy added 14 points on Friday for the Bulls who opened their season with a 104-80 win over the Knicks on Wednesday.
The fact that Rose couldn’t finish the contest is especially troubling for Chicago as the former MVP has played less than a dozen regular season games in the past two seasons.
Chicago had to play without rising star Jimmy Butler who missed his second straight game to begin the season with a thumb injury.
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