NBA -- Rose sprains ankle, Bulls bow to Cavs in OT
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Nov 2014
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls let a five-point lead slip away in the final 47.1 seconds of play and the Cleveland Cavaliers took full advantage by scoring a 114-108 overtime victory on Friday night at the United Center.
Stinging as the loss was, it came secondary to the health concerns on star guard Derrick Rose, who sprained his left ankle and was rendered ineffective in the second half. Rose scored 18 points through three quarters before leaving the game for good..
X-rays taken in the arena were negative and Rose told reporters inside the Bulls locker room, "Don't worry, it's just an ankle sprain."
"It's basketball. It ain't like I tore something, or tore a ligament or something. It's just that I sprained my ankle and I had to sit it out. It's minor," Rose added.
After a Kirk Hinrick jumper gave them a 98-93 advantage with 47.1 ticks remaining, the Bulls appeared headed to their second straight to start the young season. But the wheels fell off from there as the Cavs rattled five unanswered points to force overtime.
LeBron James was spectacular for the Cavs with 36 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Kyrie Irving had 23 and 10 assists while Kevin Love had a solid 16 points and 16 rebounds despite missing 12 of 17 field goals, including a 3 that could have given Cleveland the outright win in regulation.
Rose and Taj Gibson each finished with 20 points to lead the Bulls. Pau Gasol tallied 15 while Mike Dunleavy Jr had 14. Both big men also pulled down nine boards each.
The Bulls made only 41 of 90 field goals (45.6 percent) and 11 of 31 triples (41.9 percent). But their inability to control the rebounds -- they were outrebounded 20-9 on the offensive boards --- contributed largely to their defeat.
"It was the difference in the game and I thought, the second shot. They had the 5-point lead, 40 seconds into overtime and we had some reckless fouls," a disappointed Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said in his postgame press conference.
The 1-1 Bulls travel to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves today while the 1-1 Cavs travel to Cleveland for a date with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Nov. 4. (Homer D. Sayson)
Photo: LeBron James fades away from Taj Gibson during the Bulls-Cavs tiff at the United Center on Friday night. The King finished with 36 to lead his team to a 114-108 overtime victory.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025