Bill Cartwright has played for a No. 1-ranked college basketball team at the University of San Francisco.

He's played in front of rabid and critical fans at Madison Square Garden as a New York Knick. He's endured Michael Jordan's wrath and the crucible of NBA Finals games.

Cartwright's been nervous only once.

Last night, his debut as the 14th coach in Bulls franchise history, wasn't that time.

``I had to throw out the first pitch at Candlestick Park after one of the Bulls' championships,'' Cartwright recalled. ``I remember thinking as I walked out, `God, I just played basketball in front of a million people on TV.' But I was shaking.''

An announced crowd of only 16,342 -- the smallest of the season -- came to the United Center to watch Cartwright's debut. But they made their feelings known with a prolonged standing ovation as Cartwright walked calmly onto the court, trailed by assistants Bill Berry and Pete Myers.

Cartwright, wearing a slight smile, casually waved an index finger in recognition.

He then watched the Bulls make his debut a success, snapping an eight-game skid with a 103-80 victory over the Cavs. Ron Mercer's 15 points led seven Bulls in double figures as they matched their highest scoring output of the season.

``I'm only as good as these guys,'' Cartwright said in his typically humble manner.

The previous 36 hours had been busy ones for Cartwright.

He ran his first practice Friday and followed that with his introductory news conference. He made calls to his father and six sisters. He fielded calls from his high school and college coaches.

He had yet to hear from some of the coaches who had shaped him, people like Phil Jackson.

``But I'm tempted to call him,'' Cartwright said. ``I may need some meditation.''

The Bulls did anything but sleepwalk through a first half in which they immediately displayed an increased defensive intensity that Cartwright had promised.

The Bulls held Cleveland to 38.9 percent shooting and 40 points in the first half and forced eight turnovers. At one point, Cartwright stood clapping as the Bulls almost forced the Cavaliers into a 24-second violation.

Offensively, Marcus Fizer responded to being placed back in the second unit behind Charles Oakley by coming off the bench to score 11 points before halftime, six on dunks.

The Bulls increased their lead to 23 by the end of the third quarter as Ron Artest scored seven points in the quarter.

Before the game, Cartwright emphasized that rookies Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry would continue to get opportunities to play but that their playing time would hinge on their performance.

Curry took advantage yesterday with a season-high-tying 10 points. Curry also displayed an increased toughness and aggressiveness as he got to the free-throw line seven times, making four.