Cavs rebound (literally) from opening night loss, beat Bulls on the road

(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

After a disappointing opening night, the Cleveland Cavaliers had their own shocking road win, defeating the Chicago Bulls 114-108 in overtime.

This did not feel like your average second game of the season, just like last night did not feel like your average opening night. Contrary to last night's game, this game was exciting from start to finish and had the feel of game being played in May, not on Halloween. Both teams came into the season with high expectations, and showed tonight why many think they will play seven times in the playoffs.

We ripped LeBron last night, but tonight, he made us eat our words. James had 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals in a game that many were calling a "must-win" just two games into the season.

However, only one player played just as big as LeBron James -- Tristan Thompson. He scored 16 points, but tallied 13 -- THIRTEEN -- offensive rebounds, including a monstrous one in overtime with the Cavs clinging to a lead. Leading by two, Thompson grabbed a LeBron miss and finished with a furious slam to nearly put this game away.

The Cavs played better defensively, but still left some guys open that should not have been, and were (sadly) helped by Derrick Rose leaving the game with six minutes left in the game and not returning. Rose showed plenty of flashes of his old self tonight, scoring 20 points in 25 minutes. Without him, the Bulls were not able to finish off their Central division rival down the stretch.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love shot poorly from the field (combining to shoot 12-34 from the field), but played big in other aspects of the game. Love grabbed 16 rebounds and played well on the defensive end, while Irving had a huge three-point play to help send the game in to overtime.

This was only the first game of the revived Cavs-Bulls rivalry, but let us hope that this is the just the first of many more classics to come.

Three Things:

1. This is the LeBron we expected.
We are running out of words to describe LeBron's return last night, with none of them being pretty. He did not want to admit he was nervous, but it was obvious he was not himself. He redeemed himself against a Bulls team that many picked to compete with the Cavs for the Eastern Conference championship. He looked much more relaxed tonight and it showed in his game. He was more aggressive, not passing on driving opportunities just to get his teammates involved. He proved that last night was a fluke and pushed Cavs fans farther away from the panic button.

2. Good defense, bad defense.
Both sides of the Cavs defense were on display tonight. The interior defense gave the Bulls no easy buckets, but the perimeter defense left too many open shooters around the three-point line, especially when it counted, when Kirk Hinrich was left wide-open on back-to-back three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. Compared to opening night, the defense was better, but it helps they were playing a team not known for the offense. However, there is still plenty of work to be put in on that side of the ball. Communication is nowhere near the level that head coach David Blatt wants it to be. Once that aspect get worked out, the rest of the defense will come a lot easier.

3. Can we see seven of these in May?
From start to finish, this had the feel of a playoff game. This game was close the entire game, with big shots from both the Bulls and the Cavs. Look, we know these two will play in the Eastern Conference Finals, barring a major injury. If you're like me, I enjoyed every second of this game. I might be greedy, but I WANT MORE. Let us let both let these teams work out their kinks, then let them unleash holy hell on each other in the playoffs.

Statline of the night: Tristan Thompson. 16 points. 14 rebounds (13 offensive). 7-13 on field goals.

How times will you see a guy put up 36 points, eight rebounds and four assists and not be have the best statline of the night? Well, when you tie a franchise record for offensive rebounds, you will get that nod nine times out of 10. Thompson wants that contract extension, and he gave us no reason to believe that he should not deserve it.

What is next: Nov. 4, on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m. (YAY WEST COAST GAMES).