The Chicago Bulls went 1-0 up in their NBA Eastern Conference playoff semi-final clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers thanks to a 99-92 victory on Monday night.
The third-seeded Bulls got off to a lightning-quick start at Quicken Loans Arena as Mike Dunleavy hit all five of his shots in the first quarter to help Chicago to a 12-point lead after the first frame.
Back came the Cavs, though, as Kyrie Irving dazzled in the second quarter to help the hosts cut the gap to five at half time.
Irving finished as the game's top scorer with 30 points, but it was opposing point-guard Derrick Rose who stood out with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists as the Bulls held off Cleveland in the second half.
Game two takes place again in Cleveland on Wednesday night.
Pascal Lemesre
