Bulls vs. Celtics: 2011 First Round Game 3
The Bulls–Cavaliers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The teams have played each other since the Cavaliers joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1970, but the rivalry did not begin in earnest until the Bulls drafted Michael Jordan with the third overall pick in 1984.
Quick Facts
- Series status
- Bulls lead 2-1
- Result
- Chicago Bulls Win
- Key player performance
- Derrick Rose scored 46 points
- Historical context
- Part of the 2011 Eastern Conference First Round
Lore & Background
After Jordan went on to the Washington Wizards and eventually retired, the rivalry died down, but when Cleveland picked LeBron James with the first selection in 2003, the rivalry heated up again. In 2011, Bleacher Report named the Bulls as the Cavaliers' 'Greatest Rivalry.' The NBA called it 'one of the great NBA rivalries.'
Reader's Guide
The Michael Jordan era: Chicago had the third selection in the 1984 NBA draft, and selected Michael Jordan out of North Carolina. Jordan won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1985. The Cavaliers wouldn't play the Bulls in the playoffs until 1988, which the Bulls would win. In 1989, Jordan hit 'The Shot' over Craig Ehlo.
The Bulls swept the Cavaliers in the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals and again in the 1994 First Round. On March 28, 1990, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points against the Cavaliers. The Bulls would win six NBA championships with Jordan and Scottie Pippen, and 3 of those championships with Dennis Rodman. The LeBron James era: Cleveland had the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft and selected LeBron James.
Both teams met in the first round in 2010, and Cleveland won their first ever series against Chicago. They played again in 2015 which Cleveland won again. Bulls' resurgence: In the summer of 2010, LeBron James joined the Miami Heat. Cleveland drafted Kyrie Irving first overall in 2011.
Return of LeBron James: On July 11, 2014, James announced his return to Cleveland. The teams played in the 2015 Eastern Conference semi-finals; the Cavaliers won the series. LeBron leaves again: During the 2017 NBA draft the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves. Cleveland traded Kyrie Irving to the Celtics.
LeBron signed with the Lakers in 2018. Both teams entered rebuilding stages. On January 2, 2023, Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points against the Bulls. The Cavaliers and Bulls faced off in the 2024 NBA Cup, with the Cavaliers winning. On July 6, 2025, the Bulls traded Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers for Isaac Okoro.
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