Chicago - Bill Cartwright was there for "The Shot" at Richfield Coliseum and he was in the United Center when he got his first win as a coach. The Cavs, unfortunately, were on the opposite ends of both of those memorable Cartwright moments.

"And Michael [Jordan] wasn't even there [for my win]," said Cartwright, coach of the Chicago Bulls. "I don't know what it is, maybe it's just a Chicago thing when we play Cleveland."

It's been all the right things for the Bulls since Cartwright replaced Tim Floyd after 27 games this season. The Bulls went into last night's game against the Nets 8-14 under Cartwright. The Bulls had only four wins under Floyd.

Cartwright, an assistant for the past six seasons, has employed the triangle offense that was used during the Bulls' championship years and he's emphasized defense.

"I've been fortunate that a lot of the things I wanted to do offensively and defensively, we were kind of doing them anyway," said Cartwright, who won three titles with the Bulls as a player and two as an assistant. "I just extended what we were already doing."

Not just a game:

Basketball is serious business for Cleveland native Charles Oakley - all the time.

"A lot of guys hold back a little while playing pickup ball in the summer," said Oakley, who plays for the Bulls. "I play the same. I still don't let guys come to the hole for an easy layup. I got into it a couple of times while I was playing summer ball in Houston.

"The same thing happened while I was filming 'Space Jam' in L.A. Guys are used to having officials but they weren't around for these games and if no officials are around when I'm playing, guys are in trouble."

Out of action:

Bimbo Coles was put on the injured list yesterday because of a sprained right knee. Coles had surgery on the same knee in December 2000. Trajan Langdon, who was on the injured list with a sprained right ankle, was activated for tonight's game.