Sport | Basketball
Bulls gore Cavaliers in the last minute
Rose, last season's Rookie of the Year, drills the decisive jumper with only 1.44 seconds left
- Unknown user
- Published: 00:00 November 7, 2009
- Image Credit: Reuters
- LeBron James
Cleveland: Derrick Rose scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter and drilled a decisive jumper with 1.44 seconds remaining to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 86-85 on Thursday.
Last season's Rookie of the Year, Rose added 11 assists as the Bulls (3-2) held off the Cavaliers with an inspired defensive effort.
"It's huge," Rose told reporters. "Our chemistry on offence really isn't there yet. But you have time for that — if you can continue to stop people you'll be fine."
League MVP LeBron James scored 25 points for the Cavaliers, but lost the ball while driving to the basket for a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds.
The Cavaliers (3-3), who had a 40-2 regular-season record at home last season, have lost twice already this season in Cleveland.
In a tightly contested game, the Cavaliers had possession as they trailed by a point with four seconds to go but James drove to his left and the ball slipped out of his hands as prepared to shoot.
James, who finished with seven rebounds and six assists, wanted a foul called on the play but did not get the whistle.
"I felt a push and some contact up top," James said. "Enough to put me on the free throw line? Yes, but it is a judgement call from the refs, and he saw what he saw."
The Bulls took the lead for good when Taj Gibson made a jumper to give the road team a 76-74 advantage with 7.03 remaining.
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