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The Chicago Bulls upstaged Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-95 on Tuesday in a thrilling opening night duel as the 2015-2016 NBA season got under way.
With President Barack Obama among a delighted Chicago crowd, Derrick Rose finished with 18 points and five assists as four of the Bulls’ five starters finished in double figures.
“Who knows how good this team can be?” said Bulls guard Rose.

The only Chicago starter that didn’t shoot in double figures was Pau Gasol but the Spaniard made his presence known with six blocks including a key denial of Cavaliers talisman James with three seconds left that helped secure the victory.


Cleveland had another chance to tie the score as time expired but guard Jimmy Butler broke up a Cavs’ inbound pass to James, ending the game between the two top rated clubs in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
Nikola Mirotic had a 19 points, Butler delivered 17 points while Tony Snell and E’Twaun Moore each scored 11 for the Bulls, who gave their new head coach Fred Hoiberg his first NBA win.

James tallied a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds, Mo Williams finished with 19 points and Kevin Love scored 18 for the Cavaliers who lost in the NBA Finals in six games last season to the Golden State Warriors.
In the other early game, the Detroit Pistons dumped the Atlanta Hawks 106-94. The Warriors began their title defence by hosting the New Orleans Pelicans.
James said after the game that he struggled with his conditioning during the first and third quarters. He sat out for most of the past two weeks of preseason after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection for his back.

He credited Gasol for getting the better of him on the clutch block.
“I made myself very small in my finish,” said James. “Pau was having a great game, and he made a great play.”
Meanwhile Bulls’ fan Obama said that he was optimistic about the Bulls’ chances this year.
“If you got [Jimmy] Butler and [Derrick] Rose you have to make sure you get the ball into the paint so they can do what they do creatively,” he told a television interviewer.
Obama also said he is pleased Chicago is in the Eastern Conference because the West is “stacked”.
“These are the two top teams in the east. In the west it is a free for all. I am glad my Bulls are in the east,” said Obama.


President Obama among delighted fans as Bulls beat Cavs on NBA opening-day

Barack Obama watches from courtside. Photo: AFP

President Obama among fans. Photo: TNS

Derrick Rose (1) drives on Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova. Photo: USA Today Sports

Pau Gasol of Spain (R) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James. Photo: EPA

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The Chicago Bulls upstaged Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-95 on Tuesday in a thrilling opening night duel as the 2015-2016 NBA season got under way


President Obama among delighted fans as Bulls beat Cavs on NBA opening-day

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Rose and co upstage LeBron's men