CHICAGO — For a team and a coach that pride themselves on tenacity and toughness, the Bulls' season ended Thursday night with a soft whimper.
LeBron James wasn't nearly as overwhelming as he could've been, and the Cleveland Cavaliers played the entire second half without an injured Kyrie Irving. And yet his absence had no bearing on the 94-73 outcome, as the Cavs clinched the Eastern Conference semifinals series over the Bulls 4-2.
James' teams improved to 4-0 against the Bulls in postseason series by dominating nearly all facets of the game. Everything from loose balls to second-chance opportunities to three-point shooting favored the Cavaliers, leaving the Bulls shocked and somber in the losing locker room.