Live Thread: Cavs vs Bulls

Longtime commentarian, Nomad had an interesting point the other day. Like Darius Garland, Kyrie Irving struggled as a shooter in his first three games. I had to look it up, and indeed Uncle Drew went 1-7 from deep in his first three NBA games and 15-40 overall. Garland, in his first three outings, has fared better: 5-14 from 3 12-32 overall. Clearly, after posting one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history, Irving redeemed himself. Garland in his first three outings has fared better. Here’s hoping that’s what happens tonight for Darius when the Cavs take on a Bulls squad hungry for a win.

This game will be for some readers an early referendum on whether the Cavs whiffed in taking Garland over rookie phenom Coby White, whose first four games have netted a pretty solid 14/4/4 with a +6.7 net rating on 53TS%. I’m not going down that road, but it should be a much easier match up foe the GarTon backcourt against the mediocre defense of Chicago, than it was against the Bucks.

The Cavs bigs should also feast as only Thad Young provides solid D and isn’t the freak Giannis is. Cleveland will have to watch out for Laurri Markenan and Wendell Carter who’ve combined for 31 points and 21 rebounds per game so far this year. Leading the Bulls is offensive and dunking wunderkind, Zach Lavine who’s dropping 21/5/5 so far. I expect him and White to score a lot of points.

Only injuries I know of are to John Henson who broke like Mr. Glass after his debut and is now out for a month with a hammy. Expect the Cavs to pull this one out 108-100, as they have the two best players in Love and Thompson. Should be a good match-up. Go Cavs!