Bulls vs. Heat: 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5
A rivalry that spans decades, from Jordan's heroics to LeBron's dominance.
The Bulls–Cavaliers rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Series Context
- Eastern Conference Semifinals
- Result
- Chicago Bulls win 83-76 (Game 5)
- Key Turning Point
- Derrick Rose injury and comeback
- Final Series Outcome
- Bulls advance 4-1
- Notable Performance
- Carlos Boozer's clutch scoring in overtime
Lore & Background
The rivalry did not begin in earnest until the Bulls drafted Michael Jordan with the third overall pick in 1984. After Jordan went 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.'
In Their Own Story
The Miami Heat arena vibrated with a suffocating tension, the humidity mirroring the pressure on the court. In the second overtime, Derrick Rose launched himself toward the rim, his face locked in a mask of absolute focus—then crumpled. A guttural scream tore through the air as he hit the floor, clutching his knee. As trainers rushed onto the court, the Chicago huddle didn't dissolve into panic. Instead, a grim steeliness settled over them. Tom Thibodeau offered no platitudes, only a sharp nod to his veterans. Carlos Boozer stepped forward, eyes burning with a quiet fire, ready to carry the load. When the final buzzer sounded, it wasn't a tragedy that defined the night; it was the moment the Bulls proved they could stand tall even after their leader had fallen.
Reader's Guide
The Bulls and Cavaliers have met in the playoffs multiple times. In 1988, the Bulls won 3–2. In 1989, Jordan hit 'The Shot' in Game 5 of the First Round. The Bulls also won in the 1992 Eastern Conference Finals (4–2) and swept the Cavaliers in the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals and the 1994 First Round. The Cavaliers won their first ever series against Chicago in 2010 (4–1) and again in 2015 (4–2). In the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Cavaliers won the series 4–2.
Did You Know?
- Michael Jordan scored a career-high 69 points against the Cavaliers on March 28, 1990.
- Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points against the Bulls on January 2, 2023.
- The Cavaliers and Bulls faced off in the 2024 NBA Cup, with the Cavaliers winning 144–126.
More in Iconic Matches
Elsewhere in the Chicago Bulls universe
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