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The Chicago Bulls pulled off a 39-point blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first regular season meeting on Jan. 20, and that was without reigning MVP Derrick Rose, so the Bulls are certainly a heavy favorite to win Friday's rematch in Cleveland. In that franchise worst home loss for the Cavs, Chicago simply dominated on offense. They shot 55 percent from the field, 66 percent from beyond the arc and 16-17 from the free throw line, and were led by Carlos Boozer's 19 points and 14 rebounds.
In the rematch, Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving are expected to be the focal points of the game for each team. Rose is coming off a 29-point, 4-assist performance in a gutty win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, while Irving has 22 points and 7 dimes in a loss to the New York Knicks. The first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft recently earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in January, and he leads the Cavs with an average of 18.5 points per game on 47.8 percent from the field and 42.4 percent of long range.
As pointed out by Bulls radio producer Jeff Mangurten, Chicago has won six straight games over the Cavs in Cleveland, which is the longest streak since they claimed 12 straight victories from 1989-92.
Here's a look at some basic information to help you find the game:
Game date/time: 6:30 PM CT, Friday, March 2, 2012
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
TV: CSN-Chicago+
For updates on the matchup, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit Blog a Bull and Fear The Sword. And for more news and notes from around the NBA, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.