Zach LaVine scored 23 points, including four triples, and led the balanced and collaborative attack of the renewed Bulls who beat the Cavaliers 131-95, where Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio made his debut with the Ohio team jersey, his new team after spending the last three seasons for the Timberwolves, Suns and Jazz.
LaVine topped a list of seven players who had double-digit numbers, including the recent signing of the Bulls, DeMar DeRozan, the great acquisition during the summer break, who contributed 13 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Meanwhile, forward Lavonte Green, as a starter, and Troy Brown Jr., who came out of reserve, also scored 13 points each; the first one captured 8 rebounds, in addition to putting up 2 blocks. In addition, Nikola Vucevic was on the verge of a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a block.
The Cavaliers, who had the debut of Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, who came out of reserve, they received the support of the starting point guard Collin Sexton who reached 14 points and topped a list of four players who had two-digit numbers. Among them was Rubio, who played 20 minutes with his new team, to which he was traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and contributed 10 points. The El Masnou player did not have his best scoring inspiration when he missed seven of 10 shots from the field, including 5 of 6 triples, and he hit 3 of 4 from the personnel line. Rubio was more solid in the interior game with 5 rebounds, distributed 6 assists (team leader), lost three balls and committed two personal fouls.
Also making his debut was power forward, former Bulls player, Lauri Markkanen, who came out of reserve, like Rubio, and reached 13 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. When the Finn jumped onto the United Center court, he received a standing ovation from the 11,777 spectators who came to witness the game.