Live Thread: Cavs Vs Bulls, Game One
2015-05-04
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The Cavs face the Bulls tonight. This marks the rare occasion that the Bulls are healthier than an opponent, as the Cavs are missing Kevin Love and Derrick Rose actually appears to be healthy. The Cavs are also missing JR Smith tonight because he decided to hit someone in the head with a closed fist. He’ll be back in time for game three.
Kevin Love provided 9.7 rebounds and 16.4 points per game this season playing 34 minutes an evening. JR Smith provided 12 points a night during the regular season and almost ten points a night during the postseason. These two guys’ scoring will be missed, but the Cavs should be able to overcome it with extra scoring from Kyrie Irving/ LeBron James and extra Tristan Thompson garbage production.
To date in the playoffs Tristan has scored 7.3 points a game to go with 6.8 rebounds (3.8 offensive boards) in 25 minutes a night. Extra playing time and time on the floor without Kevin Love will allow TT to grab some extra rebounds and score more second chance points. However, he will not stretch the floor like Love. The Cavs will have to figure that out without Big T (although, his offensive rebounding abilities may help drag opposing defenders to him because they’re afraid a free Thompson will grab too many rebounds). James Jones and Mike Miller may both see extra floor time as well as Shawn Marion in an attempt to stretch the floor.
LeBron may also see time at the power forward spot tonight to keep Timofey Mozgov and TT off the floor at the same time. This would ensure the lane stays free for Kyrie to drive and cause chaos.
I’m predicting the Cavs win this game, 112-90. The Bulls are going to let their guard down and try to rely on Derrick Rose for offense when they struggle to score. That’s a game plan David Blatt can combat. Let’s just hope the Bulls don’t realize Jimmy Butler should be their offensive go to.
And, for Cavs fans who are skeptical that the Cavs can win this series, I refer you to Tom Thibodeau.
“The way they’re built, they still can do the same things,” Thibodeau said from Bulls practice. “They have a very versatile roster. The thing that makes them so versatile is LeBron (James), and Kyrie (Irving) because Kyrie can play off the ball as well as on the ball. LeBron handles the ball so much and he can go to (power forward).”
The best part about having a big three is that when one of them gets injured you still have two superstars.
That’s game! Ughhhhh!!!!
Omg Wtf lbj ffs
Stop and a hoop… Stop and a hoop…
Got the stop but not the hoop. And then Butler hits the rainmaker over TT.
Cavs have twice put themselves in a deep hole tonight and seem to turn the ball over just as they dig themselves out of it…
Wow LeBron what the H was that??? Just give the ball to Kyrie and see if he can make something happen.
I just went to the bathroom and pissed wine and gold. GO CAVS!!!
LeBron lost this game for us tonight. Total choke job.
Kyrie had us on a run, again, and with 5 minutes left LeBron took back control of the basketball and proceeded to turn it over twice and brick an early, long range three pointer. Bulls now up 6 after another LeBron turnover.
Brutal game for LeBron.
Bron just not playing well at all…
Sigh. A basket there instead of the LeBron turnover would have put a lot of pressure on the Bulls.
LeBron’s been awful tonight.
Very much so, Kyrie needed that ball more in the 4th quarter, LeBron didn’t play aggressive even though he had 19 PTS. 15 RBS, 9 AST
Does this sound familiar. ..”they won’t stay this hot and keep hitting those shots all series”.
What is Orlando, 2009?
Oh boy. Not good.
Chris Webber needs to STFU comparing Chicago to Cleveland desperation for a championship.
DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE!
Dave Blatt = Jesus Jones: “Right here right now”
To win this series, CAVS need to win the defensive battle.
Just feels like they can go to Gasol whenever they want because of the way the Cavs switch. Why do they keep doing that?
LET’S GO CAVS! LET’S GO CAVS!
The Cavs should hard trap Rose IMO…. LeBron got a turnover off of it when he did it a couple plays before.
Pick and roll still not being defended by the Cavs well…
I didn’t think that was as bad as webber made it out to be. TT made Rose take a tough shot.
That’s fair… hard to see it well on my phone…
But that’s a mismatch and the way Rose is shooting the ball tonight is just too easy for him.
Shump is balling tonight!
HUGE for him to show up tonight. If he wasn’t playing well, the game would be over already.
Shump has been a difference maker!
Going radio silent for last 6
Zero Dark JMay…
“Dellevedover”
Cavs are playing very physical. Good sign.
Thank GOD this game is not chippy. Both teams too smart for that after the first round. Refreshing.
Delly needs to start on Dunleavy.
Kyrie going into that zone he hit against the Spurs…
SHUMP!!!!!
Every time Kyrie has been the main ball handler in this game, we’ve gone on a big run.
I love LeBron, but right now, Kyrie needs to run the offense and LeBron needs to get his butt in the post.
Finish this game strong, boys!
I agree with this assessment. Kyrie is showing us all that he’s ready to be the head of the snake.
If we win tonight theres no way in hell were losing the series.
I thought the same thing lol. But the game is not over yet and Gasol and Rose should be back soon.
KI is just special!!!! No let down!!! Keep the intensity up!!!!!
Kyrie is a monster. Good lord.
Kyrie is a sorcerer.
Sick!
Well it’s now or never……….
Kyrie showing some heart.
How have we given up so many EASY LAYUPS?! It’s like we forgot how to play defense.
We have lame fans at the Q! Never thought that would happen.
totally agree…all good fans are up in loudville upper deck
Probably similar to the opening game in which the crowd was populated by people looking to go to an “event” rather than to support the Cavs. The tickets were too expensive for me. I’ll be supporting from the bar next to the arena instead.
Chicago has hit at least three threes that were completely ridiculus. Everything falling tonight. And Derrick Rose making pull up 20footers like hes Chris Paul or something. Completely absurd. 2009 memories once again.
If Bulls win this series they get to swap picks with us in the draft too. Salt on the wound!
I’m trying to imagine how much different this game would look with the regular lineup. I just don’t see a difference. Bulls are hitting shots. Cavs could have more threes going in but otherwise, looks like a loss as currently played. Gotta get ready for the next one if that happens!
Okay… fourth quarter is Kyrie and LBJ time… Need 32 from those guys and hold Bulls under 20 for the win…
No defense , 55% for Bulls aint going cut it, Kyrie need the ball more and starters ga play at 12 minutes, cant loose this game
i work with a real comedian who asked me “do you think the cavs miss anthony bennet’s stretch 4 and rebounding abilities?” i asked the guy if he was trying to upset me. he said he was serious. i have no clue what i will say if the cavs loose tonight? any ideas other than telling him he is full of crap?
if Cavs come back from this then Thibodeau needs to be fired for Bulls….everything is going right for them even Aaron Brooks is hitting fadeaway threes haha good lord
Bench really exposed with 2 starters out.
Yep. Our bench didn’t need to score before. But when 2/5 of your starters our out, you need bench scoring. Unfortunately, our bench is pretty inept at that tonight.
Tough decision for Blatt now. Should they rest LeBron? I say no. The Cavs need to do their thing now. This game can get out of hands quick.
Impossible to win in the playoffs when you let the other team shoot 55%. We better play lock down defense in the third or we’ll have a must-win Game 2.
In the fourth* is what I meant to say.
Really hope Kyrie and LeBron get hot in the fourth quarter. We need to turn it up five notches to pull this one out.
Bad defensive quarter for Cavs… Bulls back to shooting 56% for the game…
Cavs lucky to be down 9. Heat check lineup to start the fourth?
Agreed. Cheezus the bulls couldnt miss a shot if they tried in the 3rd.
Irving in Gasol’s face!
Chicago throwing up prayers and they go in. 9/13 on threes is absurd.
LeBron gets mugged inside but too strong to get the call.
2 stops and 2 turn overs. Urrrrr!
That’s your lineup David! Great analysis.
It seems Thibodeau is playing his starters for the whole half! They are definitely trying to steal this one.
Ya, most definitely. You gotta think they are not going to be able to hold this pace for 7 games on 1 days rest. I’m not all too worried because they haven’t really been that good at home. So if they steal one here I’m not too concerned.
Let’s push it to 5 by the end of the quarter!!!
Look what happens when LBJ drives?! Night and day!
You’d think he’d recognize that by now after 12 years and five trips to the Finals…
SHUMP IS HUGE!!
Blatt getting out-coached?
Bron hasn’t hit a shot in second half… 0-5 with two turnovers. This is his first trip to the line…
The super defense lineup. Is in. Delly they!
Bulls hot shooting bringing back painful memories of Orlando in 2009….
They can’t stay this hot, but I am afraid this game may be out of reach.
I also remember saying the Magic “can’t stay this hot” that whole series… That’s the worst part. Oh, and first trip to the FT line for LBJ and its in the end of 3? cmon.
Dude, there’s a quarter and a half to go, and they just cut it to 8 on back to back threes… have at least a little faith…
LeBron playing lazy d and offense.
That’s there all night for them. Maybe they should trap Rose hard on that pick n roll. But they definitely need to do something different.
I honestly think we should put miller back in and go small. If I’m not mistaken, we had a small lineup when we went on that run earlier to get us back in.
13-0 run was inexcusable. LeBron played right into it by jacking up long jumper after long jumper.
This team needs to grow a pair of balls. They had the ability to take the lead and instead let Chicago go on a 13-0 or 15-0 run. Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
definitely inexcusable.
Ugh. Chill mode is back.
Need to get Moz outta there… He just can’t get out to guard Gasol from mid-range and Gasol is killing them right now…
Pick n Roll with Gasoft is killing us.
LBJ shows why he’s the best passing forward in the game.