Preview/Live Thread: Cavs @ Bulls, Game 3 [UPDATED: Iman reportedly will play]

[Make sure you read David’s excellent piece on the best Cavs lineups…]

J.R. is back for three. Will he reclaim his starting spot? Will Iman be good to go? How about LeBron’s headband? Game 3 should be an interesting one, filled with more gripping drama than your average Cavaliers promo video.

After being banned from the Q (90 minutes prior to Games 1 and 2), due to the suspension that stemmed from his flagrant takedown of Jae Crowder in Game 4 against the Celtics, Earl brings his well-rested artillery to the United Center tonight to try and provide the Cavs with some additional scoring punch. J.R. had some success against the Bulls in the regular season, averaging 17.3 points while going 15-31 from deep in three games against Chicago after joining the Cavaliers in January.

According to media reports, Smith, along with LeBron James, arrived at the arena this morning to get some extra work in an hour before the team’s scheduled shootaround. J.R. sounded excited to be back with his team.

“There’s no better feeling,” Smith said. “Being able to go out there and play playoff basketball with your teammates and a great team is something that I definitely don’t take for granted. Especially after missing the last two games.”

Tempering J.R.’s return a bit is the question of Iman Shumpert’s availability following a groin strain he sustained in the third quarter of Game 2. At the moment, Shump’s status is a game-time decision according to the Cavs. In addition to the lock-down defense he provides, Iman has also been able to channel his inner J.R. during the first two games on offense, totaling 37 points and going 8-17 from beyond the arc.

“I’m going to do whatever I can to get on the court,” Shumpert said when interviewed before today’s shootaround. “I haven’t given it a go. I haven’t really done anything to test it out or anything. Rest and treatment right now.”

[UPDATE: It’s being reported that Iman will play in Game 3]

David Blatt's pregame press conference begins 25 mins late because of weather/traffic. He says Shumpert will play.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 8, 2015

His performance has led some to speculate that, despite J.R. being back, Shump should remain in the starting line-up. Obviously, his level of health will play a large part in whether or not this becomes a question for David Blatt to ponder.

The other big story going into Game 3 is the ongoing saga of a 7.5″ long by 2″ wide continuous loop of absorbent terrycloth…

.@TweetQTV presents 30 for 30 Seconds: the Headband.#ALLinCLEhttps://t.co/7F9t7OQxST

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 6, 2015

I’m not sure what the over/under in Vegas is on The King deciding to wear his cotton crown for Game 3, although I would certainly bet on him sporting it after the results of Game 2.

Almost lost amid the hub-bub of “Headband-Gate” and “Promo-Gate” is LBJ closing in on yet another playoff milestone. Sitting currently at 1,059 assists for his playoff career, with his next one, he passes Tony Parker for 6th place on the NBA’s all-time playoff assists list. With three more, he passes Steve Nash, and with four, he passes Larry Bird for 4th place. Not to mention, the next time he scores at least 30 points with at least five assists and five rebounds (as he did in Game 2), he will tie Michael Jordan for the most (51) times ever doing that in the playoffs.

One other Cavs franchise playoff record was also set in Game 2… but not by LeBron (mainly since he doesn’t come off the bench). Yes, Matthew Dellavedova set a new franchise playoff record for the most assists (nine) for a player off of the bench. Those nine dimes, in addition to his nine points, certainly came in handy for the Cavs, especially once Shump went down with the injury in the third quarter.

On the Bulls side of the equation, the focus is squarely on the shoulders of Derrick Rose, who is probably just as sick of the “he’s much better on two days rest than one” narrative as Kevin Love was of the “fitting in” one. The new-ish wrinkle for him is his glaring 0-0 stat from the foul line. DRose has just four points on 17 drives in the first two games, and hasn’t actually attempted a free throw since Game 5 against the Bucks. According to ESPN Stats and Information, it’s the first in his career that Rose has gone three straight games without a free throw attempt.

“If they’re not calling it, they’re not calling it,” Rose said. “I can’t worry about that.”

His coach felt a little stronger than DRose, and expressed his frustration after Game 2.

“I guess he’s got to go harder, I don’t know,” Thibodeau said after a long pause. “It looks like there’s a lot of contact to me. But obviously others don’t see it that way.”

You can be sure that Thibs will be in Tony Brothers’ ear early and often in Game 3 to plead his case for his star player.

Needless to say, the Cavs will have their hands full with the Bulls as Chicago tries to hold onto the home court advantage they gained with a win in Game 1. With J.R. back in action, it should improve their chances. The big question mark will be the health of Iman. Even if he’s able to go, will he be operating at peak capacity, or will the injury slow him down on defense?

I believe the Cavs can force the issue and win Game 3 in a closely contested tilt, especially since the pressure is back on the Bulls to adjust. Even if the Cavs lose this one, a split in Chicago with a win on Sunday should still keep them on track to win the series.

Chime in with your thoughts and predictions for Game 3.