Cavaliers forward LeBron James shoots against Bulls guard Jimmy Butler.
CLEVELAND — The pieces, old and new, are beginning to fit together.
It’s taken some time, and there’s a long way to go. But the critiqued and criticized Cavaliers are starting to play like the team they were supposed to be.
“I like the way we’ve been the last few games,” LeBron James said following a 108-94 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. “I like the way we’ve played the last week. We’ve played some really, really good basketball.”
James scored 26 points and J.R. Smith added 20 as the Cavs, remodeled by two trades in recent weeks, entered a favorable portion of their schedule with their third straight win.
Back home after salvaging a drama-filled trip out West with two wins in Los Angeles, the Cavs had little trouble with the Central Division-leading Bulls. Cleveland opened a 25-point lead in the third quarter and handed Chicago its fourth loss in five games.
Jimmy Butler scored 20 and Derrick Rose 18 for the Bulls, who played their third game in a row without starting center Joakim Noah (sprained ankle). Chicago has dropped six of eight, and coach Tom Thibodeau doesn’t like what he’s seen from his team lately.
“We’ve got to decide when enough is enough,” a disgusted Thibodeau said. “We’ve got to get better. It’s really that simple. The way we’re playing is not acceptable, so we have to change it.”
Smith made six 3-pointers, Kyrie Irving scored 18 with 12 assists and Kevin Love added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, who have temporarily quieted talk that they’re not NBA title contenders and first-year coach David Blatt is in trouble. Cleveland can improve its record with three more home games this week and nine of its next 12 in Quicken Loans Arena.
“This was our best defensive game of the year,” said Blatt, who dismissed some recent negative analysis of his team. “We have a long way to go but the ship is sailing in the right direction.”
Cavs center Timofey Mozgov scored 15 with 15 rebounds in his first home game for Cleveland since being acquired in a Jan. 7 trade from Denver.
Playing his fourth game since missing eight with a strained back and knee, James didn’t have to carry the offensive load as Cleveland’s other starters combined for 69 points. And, the Cavs played with better energy on defense, which hasn’t been the case most of the season.
Leading by 15 at halftime, the Cavs opened the third with a 10-2 run to open a 23-point lead. Love and Smith drained 3-pointers in the spurt that wobbled the Bulls. Chicago got to 90-78 in the fourth, but James scored on a drive and Smith drilled a 3 to put the Cavs back in control.
“If we don’t have that edge, we’re going to continue to get our butt whupped,” said Rose, who sat out the fourth quarter. “Basketball should be fun. It seems like we’re overthinking.”
Rose missed his first seven shots and didn’t make his first field goal until there was 1:10 left in the first half.
SECOND CITY
Bulls G Kirk Hinrich didn’t score in 26 minutes. … Chicago has a tough stretch ahead with games vs. San Antonio, Dallas, Miami and Golden State. “We’re halfway through the season,” Thibodeau said. “Somehow the notion that it’s OK, we’ll be all right — no, no, it doesn’t work like that. This is what we have. It’s on us to figure it out. No one’s coming in to save the day. We’ve got to find the answer.”
TIP-INS
Bulls: Rose came in averaging 25.5 points and 8.0 assists in his previous four games. Thibodeau believes Rose is finally getting back to form after two injury-plagued seasons. “He’s gaining confidence,” Thibodeau said. “I think he was going through a long period of time where he wasn’t playing and just getting that competitive edge back. That’s what made him so special prior to the injuries. When he’s like that, no opponent wants to see him.” … The Bulls are 15-6 on the road. … F Mike Dunleavy missed his 10th straight game with an injured ankle.
Cavaliers: G Iman Shumpert, who hasn’t played since being acquired in a recent trade with New York, could make his Cleveland debut later this week from a dislocated left shoulder. Shumpert has participated in contact drills the past two days, and Blatt said it’s even possible the solid defender could start immediately. … Fresh off Ohio State’s national championship, Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and starting quarterback Cardale Jones — a Cleveland native — were introduced to thunderous ovations. Before the game, Meyer visited with Irving and owner Dan Gilbert, a Michigan State alum.