Sports
Cavaliers Face Bulls in Preseason Opener at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Chicago Bulls in their NBA preseason opener on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. EST and will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network.
After finishing the previous regular season with a jaw-dropping 64-18 record, the Cavaliers are favored in this matchup against the Bulls, who ended their last season at 39-43. Oddsmakers have placed Cleveland as the clear favorites with a spread of approximately 7.5 points, and a total points line around 229.5, signaling expectations for a competitive game.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson has hinted that the starters will take the court, allowing fans to see how the revamped lineup performs. Despite a tough preseason last year, where the Cavs lost all four exhibition games before winning 15 consecutive regular-season games, the team is poised for a strong start.
Among the key players to watch are All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley. Mobley, who secured the Defensive Player of the Year title recently, plays a pivotal role in both offense and defense for the Cavaliers. Atkinson’s coaching style encourages fast-paced basketball, which Cleveland fans are eager to see in action.
The Bulls’ young roster, featuring players like Josh Giddey and Ayo Dosunmu, aims to find chemistry as they focus on development during the preseason. With this being game one of a four-game preseason slate, both teams are looking ahead to solidifying their strategies before the regular season begins.
Fans can expect a high-energy game, with the Cavaliers looking to leverage their home-court advantage while the Bulls attempt to test their newfound roster dynamics. Cleveland’s recent performance against Chicago adds intrigue, as they went 4-0 against the Bulls last season.
Overall, while it is a preseason matchup, both teams see it as a crucial opportunity to establish momentum and set the tone for the upcoming regular season.
