Bulls–Cavaliers rivalry

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 and led the Bulls to a {{win-loss record|w=38|l=44}} record and the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. As for Cleveland, they had a {{win-loss record|w=36|l=46}} record, just a single seed under Chicago with the eighth seed. The Cavaliers wouldn't play the Bulls in the playoffs until 1988, which the Bulls would win, {{win-loss record|w=3|l=2}}.

Back when the first round was best-of-5 instead of best-of-7, it was game 5 of the First Round in 1989, on May 7, Jordan hit what is known today as "The Shot" even with Cleveland sweeping Chicago in the season, it wasn't enough to get by Jordan's shot to win and play the Knicks the next round. Craig Ehlo was the player Jordan shot over to win the game. The Cavaliers wouldn't play the Bulls in the playoffs until the 1992 Eastern Conference Finals, which Chicago would win yet again {{win-loss record|w=4|l=2}}. The Shot is remembered by Cleveland fans as part of the Cleveland sports curse, along with The Drive, The Fumble and Red Right 88.

A sequel to "The Shot" occurred at the end of Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals, again with Jordan hitting a series-winning shot on the same end of the Richfield Coliseum floor as in 1989. The Bulls swept the Cavaliers en route to their third consecutive title. Then in the 1994 First Round, the Bulls again swept the Cavaliers despite Jordan retiring for the first time the previous autumn.

A notable regular season moment between the two teams took place on March 28, 1990, at the Richfield Coliseum. In the Bulls' 117–113 overtime win over the Cavaliers, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points along with 18 rebounds, six assists and four steals, while playing all but three minutes in the game.

The Bulls would win six NBA championships with Jordan and his partner Scottie Pippen, and 3 of those championships with Dennis Rodman.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were dominated by the Bulls in the rivalry, even with likes of Mark Price, Steve Kerr, Ron Harper and others playing the franchise, Jordan was too much to handle and adding Scottie Pippen made it even more difficult on the Cavaliers, but Jordan would eventually retire and Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets. Cleveland would have the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft{{cite web|title=NBA Draft history: 2003 Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft/2003-draft/|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2017}} and used that selection to pick LeBron James. The Cavaliers would take over the rivalry with LeBron, Chicago would pick a hometown player with the first pick as well in Derrick Rose.{{cite web|title=NBA Draft history: 2008 Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft/2008-draft/|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2017}} However, Rose had an injury in the playoffs against Philadelphia that would deter Rose's promising career that won him the MVP in 2011. Both teams met up in the first round in 2010, and Cleveland won their first ever series against Chicago, {{win-loss record|w=4|l=1}}. They would play again in 2015 which Cleveland won again, {{win-loss record|w=4|l=2}}.

File:Kyrie_Irving_(32963168585).jpg in 2011.]]

In the summer of 2010, Cavaliers superstar LeBron James became a free agent, and announced on ESPN that he would join the Miami Heat, to join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Cleveland's first season without James was an awful year, finishing with a record of {{Win–loss record|w=19|l=63}}. Meanwhile, the Bulls finished {{Win–loss record|w=62|l=20}} and earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs; Derrick Rose would win the NBA MVP. However, the Bulls lost in the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat, who would lose in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Cleveland would draft Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the first pick and Texas center Tristan Thompson with the fourth pick in the 2011 NBA draft.{{cite web|title=NBA Draft history: 2011 Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/history/draft/2011-draft/|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=June 5, 2017}} Irving would win the Rookie of the Year Award. However, the Cavaliers' best season without James was when they finished {{Win–loss record|w=33|l=49}} in 2013–14.

On July 11, 2014, James announced his return to Cleveland in a letter published to Sports Illustrated.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers|title=LeBron: I'm coming back to Cleveland|author1=LeBron James|author2=Lee Jenkins|date=July 11, 2014|access-date=June 5, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated}} The Cavaliers would select Andrew Wiggins in 2014{{cite web|url=http://stats.nba.com/draft/history/#!?Season=2014|title=NBA.com/Stats–2014 Draft History|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=June 5, 2017}} first overall, who they would trade along with Anthony Bennett to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kevin Love. Both the Bulls and Cavaliers would qualify to play in the playoffs.

The Cavaliers earned the Eastern Conference's second seed, and the Bulls earned the third seed. The teams would play each other in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Chicago won game 1 with Derrick Rose scoring 25 points. Cleveland won game 2 with James scoring 33 points. Chicago won game 3, as Derrick Rose made a shot as time expired. Cleveland won game 4, as James also made a shot as time expired. The Cavaliers would also win games 5 and 6 to eliminate the Bulls, and advanced to play in the 2015 NBA Finals, where they would lose to the Golden State Warriors in 6 games. The Cavaliers played Golden State in the NBA Finals again the next year and came back from a {{win-loss record|w=3|l=1}} series deficit to end the 52-year championship drought in Cleveland.

During the 2017 NBA draft the Bulls traded all-star Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the 7th overall pick (used to pick Lauri Markkanen), Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn to start a rebuild for the Bulls. Meanwhile, for Cleveland they traded superstar Kyrie Irving (upon request) to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Žižić and the Brooklyn Nets first round draft pick, later used for Alabama star Collin Sexton. Towards the beginning of the season there was rumors of LeBron possibly leaving Cleveland again in free agency. The Cavaliers finished with a record of 50–32 and earned the 4th seed. Meanwhile, for Chicago they finished with {{win-loss record|w=27|l=55}}. The Cavaliers beat the fifth seeded Pacers, first seeded Raptors, and second seeded Celtics to make their fourth straight finals appearance. However they would fall to Golden State led by Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry again, this time getting swept. The 2018 NBA draft came with possible big NBA stars, and Chicago took Wendell Carter Jr. with their 7th pick, and Cleveland took Collin Sexton straight afterwards with the 8th pick. The LeBron rumors for Cleveland would turn out to be true, as he signed a 4-year $154 million deal with the Lakers. Both Cleveland and Chicago entered the rebuilding stages, with Cleveland returning the playoffs beginning 2023 and the Bulls making the 2022 playoffs.

On January 2, 2023, the Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points against the Bulls for the highest scoring performance since Kobe Bryant's 81-point game. The Cavaliers and Bulls faced-off under East Group C in the 2024 NBA Cup, with the Cavaliers winning the group stage game on November 15 with a score of 144–126.{{cite news|url=https://www.nba.com/news/emirates-nba-cup-2024-group-play-schedule|title=Group Play schedule unveiled for Emirates NBA Cup 2024|accessdate=August 18, 2024|website=NBA.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/game/0022400013|title=Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers Nov 15, 2024 Game Summary|accessdate=November 29, 2024|website=NBA.com}}

{{Game log start|style={{Basketball primary style|}};|title= Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Season-by-Season Results}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};|title=1970s (Bulls, 26–12)|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Overall series|Notes}}

|-

| {{nbay|1970}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|4–0}}

| Cleveland Cavaliers joined the NBA as an expansion team.

|-

| {{nbay|1971}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|8–0}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1972}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|11–1}}

| Bulls win 10 games in a row (1970-1973).

|-

| {{nbay|1973}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|15–1}}

| Final season Cavaliers played at Cleveland Arena.

|-

| {{nbay|1974}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|2–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|17–3}}

| Cavaliers open up Coliseum at Richfield.

|-

| {{nbay|1975}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|17–7}}

| Cavaliers sweep season series for the first time.

|-

| {{nbay|1976}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|20–8}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1977}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|23–9}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1978}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|24–12}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1979}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls
126–117

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls
123–117

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|26–12}}

| Only season where the Bulls and Cavaliers played twice.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};|title=1980s (Bulls, 41–28)|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Overall series|Notes}}

|-

| {{nbay|1980}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|31–13}}

| Bulls move to the Eastern Conference and are placed in the Central Division, resulting in the matchups between the Cavaliers a divisional rivalry.

|-

| {{nbay|1981}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|36–14}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1982}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|41–15}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1983}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|43–19}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1984}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|45–23}}

| Michael Jordan makes his debut for the Bulls.

|-

| {{nbay|1985}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|3–3}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|48–26}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1986}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|53–27}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|1987}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|3–3}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|56–30}}

|

|-

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 1988 Eastern Conference First Round

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|59–32}}

| 1st postseason series.

|-

| {{nbay|1988}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|6–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|59–38}}

|

|-

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 1989 Eastern Conference First Round

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|62–40}}

| 2nd postseason series.

|-

| {{nbay|1989}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls
{{nowrap|67–40}}

|

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};|title=1990s (Bulls, 34–22)|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Overall series|Notes}}

|-

| {{nbay|1990}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls
{{nowrap|72–40}}

| Bulls win 1991 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|1991}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls
{{nowrap|75–42}}

| Bulls finish with the best record in the league (67–15). Bulls win 13 in a row (1989-1992).

|-

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 1992 Eastern Conference Finals

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|79–44}}

| 3rd postseason series. Bulls would go on to win 1992 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|1992}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|81–47}}

|

|-

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|85–47}}

| 4th postseason series. Bulls would go on to win 1993 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|1993}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|86–50}}

| Michael Jordan leaves the Bulls in the offseason. Final season the Cavaliers played at Richfield Coliseum. Final season the Bulls played at Chicago Stadium.

|-

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 1994 Eastern Conference First Round

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|1–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|89–50}}

| 5th postseason series.

|-

| {{nbay|1994}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|91–53}}

| Midway through the season, Michael Jordan rejoins the Bulls. Cavaliers open up Gund Arena (now known as Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse). Bulls open up United Center.

|-

| {{nbay|1995}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|95–53}}

| Bulls finish with the best record in the league and also set a record for most wins in a season at the time (72–10) (Broken by the 2015 73–9 Warriors).
Bulls win 1996 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|1996}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|98–54}}

| Bulls finish with the best record in the league (67–15).
Bulls win 1997 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|1997}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|2–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|100–56}}

| Bulls record their 100th win over the Cavaliers. Last season Michael Jordan played for the Bulls.
Bulls win 1998 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|1998}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|1–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|100–59}}

| Due to a lockout, only three games were played this season.

|-

| {{nbay|1999}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|101–62}}

|

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};|title=2000s (Cavaliers, 23–17)|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Overall series|Notes}}

|-

| {{nbay|2000}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|102–65}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2001}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|103–68}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2002}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|106–69}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2003}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|2–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|108–71}}

| LeBron James makes his debut for the Cavaliers.

|-

| {{nbay|2004}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|2–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|110–73}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2005}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|110–77}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2006}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|2–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|112–79}}

| Cavaliers lose 2007 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|2007}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|115–80}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2008}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|116–83}}

| Cavaliers finish with the best record in the league (66–16).

|-

| {{nbay|2009}}

| Tie

| {{nowrap|2–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|118–85}}

|Cavaliers finish with the best record in the league (61–21).

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};|title=2010s (Bulls, 30–20)|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Overall series|Notes}}

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 2010 Eastern Conference First Round

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|119–89}}

| 6th postseason series. Cavaliers win the series for the first time.

|-

|-

| {{nbay|2010}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|123–89}}

| Lebron James leaves the Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat. Bulls finish with the best record in the league (62–20).

|-

| {{nbay|2011}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|1–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|126–89}}

| Due to a lockout, only three games were played this season. Bulls finish tied with the best record in the league (50–16).

|-

| {{nbay|2012}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|129–90}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2013}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|132–91}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2014}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|133–94}}

| Lebron James rejoins the Cavaliers.

|-

|- style="background:#f2f2f2; font-weight:bold;"

| 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–2}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|135–98}}

| 7th postseason series. Cavaliers would go on to lose 2015 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|2015}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|138–99}}

| Cavaliers win 2016 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|2016}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|142–99}}

| Cavaliers lose 2017 NBA Finals.

|-

| {{nbay|2017}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|142–103}}

| Cavaliers record their 100th win over the Bulls.
Cavaliers lose 2018 NBA Finals. Last season LeBron James played for the Cavaliers.

|-

| {{nbay|2018}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|145–104}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2019}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|148–105}}

|

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};|title=2020s (Cavaliers, 14–5)|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Overall series|Notes}}

|-

| {{nbay|2020}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|2–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|1–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|149–107}}

| Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only three games were played this season.

|-

| {{nbay|2021}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|152–108}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2022}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|152–112}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2023}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|3–1}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|153–115}}

|

|-

| {{nbay|2024}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | {{nowrap|4–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|2–0}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|153–119}}

| On November 15, 2024, at Cleveland, the Cavaliers beat the Bulls 144–126 during the 2024 NBA Cup group stage.

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Basketball primary style}};|title=Summary of Results|Season|colspan2=2|Season series|at Chicago Bulls |at Cleveland Cavaliers |Notes}}

|-

|-

| Regular season games

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|133–105}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|79–41}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|63–55}}

|

|-

| Postseason games

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|20–14}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|12–5}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|9–8}}

|

|-

| Postseason series

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|5–2}}

| Tie, {{nowrap|1–1}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|4–1}}

| Eastern Conference First Round: 1988, 1989, 1994, 2010
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1993, 2015
Eastern Conference Finals: 1992

|-

| Regular and postseason

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | {{nowrap|153–119}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Chicago Bulls}};" | Bulls, {{nowrap|91–45}}

| style="{{Basketball primary style|Cleveland Cavaliers}};" | Cavaliers, {{nowrap|72–62}}

|

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/10/21/bulls-cavs-ready-for-rivalry/ Bulls, Cavs ready for rivalry]

{{Portal bar|Sports}}

{{Chicago Bulls}}

{{Cleveland Cavaliers}}

{{NBA rivalries}}

{{NBA on CBS}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bulls-Cavaliers rivalry}}

Category:NBA rivalries

Category:Chicago Bulls

Category:Cleveland Cavaliers

Category:Sports in the Midwestern United States