LeBron James scored 36 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Derrick Rose and the Bulls 114-108 in overtime on Friday night.The first meeting between two teams expected to challenge each other for supremacy in the Eastern Conference was as tight as advertised, with several swings down the stretch and a superstar carrying his team in the end.James was at his best after struggling the previous night. He scored eight points in the extra period, and the Cavaliers gave coach David Blatt his first win after opening with a loss at home to New York. ”It was an opportunity to go out and redeem ourselves and I was happy with the outcome,” James said. Derrick Rose scored 20 points, but his first meaningful home game in about a year was spoiled by a sprained left ankle and a dominant performance by the Cavaliers’ megastar. Rose, sidelined for most of the past two seasons by knee injuries, came up hobbling in the first half and headed to the locker room in the fourth quarter. ”The gods, they’re testing me right now, man,” said Rose, who did not think the injury was serious. Cleveland rallied from five down in the closing minute of regulation after blowing a nine-point lead to start the fourth quarter.James took over in OT, flipping in a wild reverse layup and scoring Cleveland’s first eight points in the extra period.The Cavaliers were still clinging to a 106-104 lead after Kirk Hinrich hit two free throws with 46.8 seconds left. But Tristan Thompson iced it moments later with a hard dunk after rebounding James’ jumper to make it a four-point game with 24 seconds left. Thompson tied a franchise record with 12 offensive rebounds.James, back with the Cavaliers after leading Miami to two championships, dominated after a rough opener.He had eight rebounds, four steals and just three turnovers after going 5 of 15 from the floor and coughing the ball up eight times against the Knicks.Irving scored 23.Thompson, who was hoping to land a contract extension before the deadline, finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.Kevin Love added 16 points and 16 rebounds, and the Cavaliers pounded the Bulls 52-42 on the boards. Hinrich came on strong down the stretch to finish with 20 points. Pau Gasol scored 15 and Mike Dunleavy Jr. added 14 points. ”They’re a very good team,” Hinrich said. ”Obviously, they’re as talented as anybody one-two-three. Their bigs are very good at getting little things and complementing their other guys. I know they’re gonna be a tough out, no question.”