Rose, James Ready For NBA Openers

LeBron James has declared himself ready for his 13th NBA season since the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar's lower back is feeling better.

Fellow former MVP Derrick Rose may have only one good eye, but he insists he will be ready to go for the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavaliers eliminated the Bulls in last season's conference semifinals and look to spoil Fred Hoiberg's coaching debut for Chicago Tuesday night at the United Center.

James' return to Cleveland in 2014-15 was a resounding success, leading the club to a 53-29 season and its second NBA Finals appearance with a six-game loss to Golden State. The four-time MVP had two triple-doubles, tied for most ever, and averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the Finals as the Cavaliers played without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.

James practiced each of the last two days after sitting out nearly two weeks since receiving an anti-inflammatory injection for his back. He is ready for Tuesday -- a contest he isn't emphasizing.

"We're not going to put too much on the first game of the season," he said. "We've put in a lot of work over the last few weeks, and you can only try to get healthy, work your habits, work your rhythm and our last few practices have been very good. But you don't put too much onus on if this will be the team that we'll be long-term tomorrow."

Rose needed surgery to repair a fractured left orbital suffered on the first day of practice, an injury that was not as serious as the torn ACL in his left knee or the torn meniscus in his right knee that derailed the Bulls in recent seasons. He returned for the club's final preseason game and will play Tuesday.

Tuesday, October 27 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Cleveland at Chicago, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at Golden State, 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 28 Schedule (All Times Central)

Washington at Orlando, 6 p.m.

Philadelphia at Boston, 6:30 p.m.

Chicago at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

Utah at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Indiana at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.

Denver at Houston, 7 p.m.

Cleveland at Memphis, 7 p.m.

New York at Milwaukee, 7 p.m.

San Antonio at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

New Orleans at Portland, 9 p.m.

Los Angeles at Sacramento, 9 p.m.

Minnesota at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.