CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (0-1) at CHICAGO BULLS (1-0)
United Center
8 p.m. Friday
Radio: WTAM-AM 1100, WMMS-FM 100.7
TV: ESPN, Fox Sports Ohio

QUICK SHOTS: 1. The Cavaliers could drop to 0-2 unless they find a way to make shots. The Bulls have a way of imposing their defensive will on teams. That could be what happens tonight. Say what you want about Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. He's not an exciting interview, I can attest. But he is a defensive genius. Expect the Bulls' defense to cause major problems for the Cavaliers.

2. I really couldn't believe how passive LeBron James was on offense. When he's attacking, he's practically unstoppable. Last night, he was very guardable. With a player like Carmelo Anthony, he shoots almost every time he touches the ball. But he finished with 25 points and might have been the difference in the game. James just passed the ball, often times out of bounds against the Knicks. His eight turnovers were very uncharacteristic. I bet he rebounds in a big way against Chicago.

3. I keep waiting to be blown away by Coach David Blatt's borderline genius offense. Against New York, the ball stuck. Ideally, it's supposed to move, along with bodies, in Blatt's offense. 

4. Expect Blatt to tinker with his rotation against Chicago. He went nine players deep against the Knicks, but swingman Mike Miller played just 2:55. I keep waiting for Miller and forward Shawn Marion to make plays. I haven't seen anything from either of them for much of the preseason and the first game. If they don't come through, it's going to be a big blow to the Cavaliers.

5. Keep a close eye on Bulls point guard Derrick Rose. In the preseason matchup against the Cavs, he was fantastic with 30 points. He blew by defenders are will and make jump shots. He'll be the focus of Blatt's defensive game plan. The Cavs' guards need to keep Rose in front of them. That's not an easy task, either.

UP NEXT: at Portland, Rose Garden, Tuesday, 10 p.m.

PROBABLE STARTERS

SF LeBron James (6-8, 250) vs. Mike Dunleavy (6-9, 230)

PF Kevin Love (6-10, 243) vs. Pau Gasol (7-0, 255)
C Anderson Varejao (6-11, 267) vs. Joakim Noah (6-11, 232)

SG Dion Waiters (6-4, 225) vs. Kirk Hinrich (6-4, 190)

PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Derrick Rose (6-3, 190)

PROJECTED INACTIVE LIST

Cavs - F/C Lou Amundson, G A.J. Price
Bulls - G Jimmy Butler
OFFICIALS

Scott Foster, Matt Boland, Scott Wall