Cavaliers vs. Bulls: Upcoming Series Info & Rivalry History

When Do the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls Play Next?

Cleveland Cavaliers tickets and Chicago Bulls tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls Rivals?

Yes, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls are rivals. The Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing against each other since the 1970s. However, it wasn’t until the Michael Jordan era of basketball that the rivalry between the two teams really began to take shape.

Who Are the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Biggest Rivals?

Besides the Bulls, the more notable rivals for the Cleveland Cavaliers are the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. (Learn more about the Cavs vs. Warriors rivalry)

Who are the Chicago Bulls’ Biggest Rivals?

Along with the Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls’ biggest rivals are the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat. (Learn more about the Bulls vs. Heat rivalry)

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls Series History

The Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers first met on the court back on December 20, 1970, with the Bulls taking the victory 116-103. Since then, the two teams have played each other over 200 additional times, with the Bulls taking the regular season matchup edge in victories over the Cavaliers. Despite playing each other since 1970, the rivalry between the two Midwest teams didn’t pick up until the mid- to late-1980s after the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan with their first pick, third overall, in the 1984 NBA Draft. They would meet in the playoffs for the first time in 1988.

One of the most iconic moments between the two teams, and arguably in all of basketball, occurred on May 7, 1989, during the NBA Playoffs. Known by many basketball enthusiasts simply as “The Shot,” Michael Jordan would hit a mid-range jump shot over Cleveland Cavalier shooting guard, Craig Ehlo, from just inside the top of the key to beat the buzzer and eliminate the Cavaliers from advancing to the second round of that year’s NBA Playoffs.

The Bulls and Cavaliers wouldn’t meet again in the playoffs until 1992 when the Bulls would again win the series four games to two. The Jordan era would be one where the Bulls dominated the Cavaliers. The Bulls would secure six NBA Championships during Jordan’s time in Chicago. However, there would be a shift in dominance within the rivalry to the Cleveland Cavaliers when Cleveland drafted LeBron James in the 2003 NBA Draft. LeBron continues to be a star in the NBA and was a constant challenge for the Bulls during his time in Cleveland. Despite the Chicago Bulls eventually drafting hometown promise, Derrick Rose, in the 2008 NBA Draft, LeBron and the Cavaliers would gain the advantage in the rivalry. It was the 2010 NBA Playoffs when LeBron helped secure Cleveland’s first-ever playoff series win against the Bulls, taking the series by four games to one. The two teams would meet again in the 2015 playoffs when Cleveland would once more take the victory four games to two. While the Cavaliers have taken the last two playoff series between the two teams, Chicago maintains the lead in their playoff matchup. Since 2015, both teams have largely been in rebuilding phases with the rivalry being relatively quiet since the end of the LeBron era in Cleveland.

Where Do the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls Play?

The Cleveland Cavaliers play their home games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. They have played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse since the arena opened in 1994.

Step Inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and learn more about the Cavs’ home arena.

The Chicago Bulls play their home games at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. They share their home arena with Chicago’s professional hockey team, the Chicago Blackhawks®.

Step Inside United Center and learn more about this historic Chicago arena.