Here We Go Again? Rose Hurt in Bulls Loss

Rarely is the second contest in an NBA season a statement game. And if Friday night’s Cleveland Cavaliers-Chicago Bulls game was a statement game, then from a Bulls perspective the statement would have to be: “Ouch!”

A photo of Shannon Ihrke should help take Bulls fans’ minds off the home opener..

And not merely because the LeBron James-led Cavs prevailed 114-108 in overtime in the Bulls’ home opener.

Bulls guard Derrick Rose sprained an ankle, left the game late in the third quarter and did not play the rest of the way after scoring 20 points in 25:18 and looking impressive before departing.

On the bright (?) side, the injury appears to be routine rather than anything season-ending.

“My ankle is throbbing a little bit right now, but it is just from playing basketball,” Rose told a cluster of media in the locker room after the game. “I’m happy it’s not that serious. I will be going to Minnesota, and I’ll try to give it a go [Saturday against the Timberwolves].”

Actually, on the bright side for the Bulls was the performance of Tony Snell, who logged 22:56 of playing time (much of it guarding James). With Jimmy Butler sidelined by a thumb injury, Snell came off the bench to score 10 points and had probably the best game of his career (OK, so he’s in his second season, but you get the idea).

The Cavs were coming off a Thursday loss in their home opener — against the New York Knicks, whom the Bulls had humbled in the season opener at Madison Square Garden. All of which means everyone is a contender — oh, joy!

“It was an opportunity to go out and redeem ourselves,” said James, who had 36 points. “I was happy with the outcome.”

As was Cavs coach David Blatt, who recorded his first NBA triumph.

“It seems a little odd, as I have probably won 700 games in my career,” he said.

What was odd — from a Bulls perspective — was being outrebounded 52-42. Even more odd was the performance of Cavs reserve Tristan Thompson, who 13 rebounds. He had 12 offensive rebounds — one more than the entire Bulls team.

“I was just being active,” Thompson said. “I would have gotten more, but K-Love [Kevin Love] got the rest of the defensive boards.”

Love did have a game-high 16 rebounds (14 defensive) and 16 points.

Kirk Hinrich had 20 points to tie Rose for the team high. Mike Dunleavy (14 points) was one rebound and two assists shy of a triple double. Pau Gasol had 15 points and nine rebounds in his Bulls home debut.

It’s a long way from the first games of the season to the playoffs. As long as the Bulls — Rose in particular — can be fairly healthy when April arrives, chances are good the Cavs and Bulls will meet in more meaningful games then.

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