CLEVELAND – Thanks to 33 points and eight rebounds from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers evened their East semifinals series against the Chicago Bulls with a 106-91 win.
One game after scoring 19 points in a 99-92 loss, James decided to don his trademark headband, much to the chagrin of the visitors from the Windy City.
Beginning the game on a 13-2 surge, and a lineup adjustment of starting power forward Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup, paid dividends as the Cavaliers would go up by as many as 26 points. Other than a 14-0 response by the Bulls in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 12 points, the Cavaliers never looked back.
Kyrie Irving scored 21 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field in 34 minutes, the fore mentioned Thompson scored five to go along with 12 rebounds and Iman Shumpert added 15, including going 4-of-7 from three-point range.
Shumpert sustained a left groin injury and leave the game, before returning, only to leave again.
James Jones contributed 17 points off the bench, including going 6-of-10 from the field, including shooting 5-of-9 from three-point range.
For the Bulls, Jimmy Butler led the way with 18 points, Derrick Rose added 14, Taj Gibson and Pau Gasol both added 11 points.
Game 3 is in Chicago Friday.