President Obama Sits Courtside As Bulls Win Season Game Opener Against Cavaliers

The Chicago Bulls won the first game of the season, 97-95, against the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night, playing a more open offense with new coach Fred Hoiberg.

Although D. Rose’s vision problems persist, after taking an elbow to the face during training camp, he suffered a fractured orbital bone below his left eye that required surgery, now covered up by a mask. But Rose is learning to deal with the problem.

“When I’m out there playing, I usually close my left eye,” he said after the Tuesday opener against the Cavaliers. “I just got used to it from practice.”

Rose’s performance on Tuesday was outside of the norm. He shot 8-of-22 from the field in 32 minutes and finished with 18 points, five assists and two turnovers. But he only attempted two three-pointers,  while 15 of his shots came in the paint.

Noah played just 17 minutes and was not available at the end because of a knee problem. Nikola Mirotic scored 19 points while LeBron James recorded his first double-double, with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but the Cavaliers came up short in the end.