Live Thread: Cavs vs Bulls
2015-04-05
The Cavs follow the Thunder/Rockets Matchup on ABC, which is turning into a humdinger of a game. Let’s hope we don’t miss too much of the Wine and Gold. Bulls are missing Hinrich and the Cavs appear to be at full strength. The rumor earlier this week was that Blatt was going to try to establish his playoff substitution pattern before the Cavs take the foot off the gas, schedule wise. So let’s hope they take the, ahem, Bulls by the horns, and stay in control all game. The Bulls have won 6-8, and Pau Gasol is averaging 20 a game over that stretch. Look for him to be the focus of the defense. OK, this Houston/Tunder game is winding down, and a ridiculous battle between Harden and Westbrook is underway. As soon as that’s over, let’s go Cavs.
Watching the game, there was something not quite gratifying about the Cavs’ play and the manner in which they got the victory. Blatt and Lebron’s post-game sentiments clarified the notion very succinctly. Great to see the Coach and best player on the same page, and not at all satisfied.
http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/667/no-satisfaction-for-lebron-in-win-over-bulls
I don’t know… I was gratified seeing both Moz and KLove get used the right way in the fourth quarter today. I was gratified to see guys hustling on D and holding the Bulls to 94 points (should have been 91 if not for the meaningless three at the end). I was gratified to see LBJ get his first triple double of the year. I was gratified to see Kyrie and JR shoot so well, and hustle after the ball. I was gratified to see the Cavs steal the ball 9 times and force 16 turnovers on the Bulls. I… Read more »
I dont know, the entertainment value on this game was obviously an all-time high. But we had at least 9 points (the three buzzer beaters ) that were absolute luck, and yet the Bulls still hung around. I’m not saying we’d lose to them in 7 games, but I also don’t think the games will be as easy as they were tonight. We just couldn’t miss tonight…that’s the main reason we ended up winning. There was a lot of good, but I thought luck had more to do with the win tonight then how we played necessarily
Of course we basically locked up the 2 seed, so we’ll take it obviously
I agree, the Cavs played almost perfectly offensively and only won buy 5 points. I think the Cavs can beat the Bulls in 6 games if they face them. But I’m not sure the Cavs are ready to face a team like the Spurs or Warriors with their constant ball movement.
You guys are crazy… Cavs only won by 5 because the Bulls hit a meaningless three at the end after TT bricked two free throws. Otherwise the margin is 10 and could have easily been more if the Cavs don’t shoot 13-22 from the line. It was clear they thought they had it won when LBJ was on the bench the first time and they let up on the intensity.
And if you think they played “almost perfectly” I can recommend you go back and watch the offensive shows they put on against the Warriors, Spurs, Grizz, Clips, etc. They actually only shot 42% this game and even though JR and Kyrie shot well, Iman was a complete 0-fer, KLove missed a lot (other than the big shot in the fourth) and even LBJ wasn’t great outside of the paint today. The only team I worry about is the Spurs… and not because of anything to do with ball movement or talent differential. It simply comes down to coaching and… Read more »
Guys, to be honest and IMO I hope the Cavs face some tough competition on their road to the ECF so that they can be as ready as possible to face whoever comes out of the West (if they make it). I think the Spurs will come out of the West again and I think the only chance the Cavs will have against them is if the Cavs can get home court advantage going to the finals. It took 88 points from LBJ and Kyrie to get a W on their home court. It will really be tough if the… Read more »
What?? Can’t be afraid to meet the best team in this. Lebron of all people has more NBA FINALS experience against Spurs than anyone. Can’t worry about the West right now. This roster is a chance in a lifetime to get to Finals and have a solid chance to win. Cavs playing Hawks will make them stronger.
Yeah… double what?? A Finals trip, regardless of outcome, is still superlative to a loss in the ECF, even in 7 games…
Phil- I thought Noah said that as well
I’m glad Blatt Put Mosgov in the last minute of game. Bulls were making their usual last run in the final seconds of the game. That run down by Delly full court with JR getting the 3 was awesome. More awesome was the high fiving and love he was getting from all the team mates.
@mcten: Joakim Noah on the Cavs in the playoffs: “If the opportunity presents itself and we can play Cleveland I would be very happy”
When Noah and LeBron had their little tiff along the sideline sometime in the 4th quarter, after LeBron walked away, if I was reading lips correctly Noah muttered “p***y” in LeBron’s general direction. (Not loud enough for him to hear, of course.)
LoL He probably did. Noah is old school. They will never be BFF’s . If you don’t play for his team, you’re the enemy on and off the court.
what was bigger love’s defense at the end or the 3 pt shot —WELCOME BACK KEVIN 11—- JR ‘S free agency stock ( since arriving at Cleveland ) continues to soar !!—-cavs need to start looking at limiting minutes / resting players
Only JR played crazy minutes this game. I’ll bet they play one more full complement against the Bucks (since they have a couple days off anyway) to wrap up the two seed and then start resting guys…
Dave McMenamin @mcten 44 minutes ago
The Cavs’ mascot just made a backwards over-the-head heave from halfcourt during the timeout and it’s probably only the 3rd best shot today
Lots of video choices for the recap: the three buzzer beaters, Love’s early jam and late 3, a couple thunderous drives by LeBron, Mozgov’s back-to-back jams in the 4th, Delly’s save –> JR Swish…and probably a few others I’m forgetting.
Lebron’s flagrant.
This was LeBron’s first triple-double since he returned. He had 20 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
And Paul George is back on the floor for the first time since breaking his leg…
I believe if the Cavs win the next game on Wednesday against Milwaukee, the second seed will be officially locked for them. Then rest can begin; that’s a good week and a half to rest before the playoffs.
For anyone with League Pass… Paul George makes his return right now against the Heat. Will the Pacers knock the Heat further down in the standings in the race for the playoffs?
Yes! Heat aren’t even getting in the play offs this year. A complete reversal from last year’s Cavs and Heat.
What a difference in Love’s defense from early in the year to now…
Wow! JR with a game high 43 minutes. He was 8-17… and 8-17 from three… HA!
He set a record for most 3’s taken in a game without a 2 attempt.
18 in a row… second seed all but wrapped up… GREAT WIN!
Also… Cavs get win number 50. Hard to imagine they’d get there after starting 19-20…
TT needs to practice his free throws
Flagrant on Gasol??
There’s a lot of ways in which this team wins –
Defense
Individual effort
3 pt shooting
offense rebounding
Sub-Fuego
Toughness
So when you’re LeBron and you find yourself being guarded by the 6’0″ Brooks, you naturally go with the fadeaway.
If it works…
This one’s in the books.
DAGGER!!!
Mozilla tramples Butler like a tiny insect.
Bad foul there.
Russian banana in tailpipe trick…
Yesss! Got my banana-tailpipe fix. Thanks, EG.
That KLove three will do wonders for LBJ’s confidence in him… Not to mention his D on Mirotic…
This is definitely the playoff rotation. Love it.
That Love 3 came on a LeBron assist, by the way.
Sheesh. You know that thing where things are undervalued so long they became overvalued? That’s the way the national media (and me) was with draft picks. If you can can get a top 10 starting center for two late first rounders? You do it every time.
YES!!! KLOVE with a BIG TIME THREE when it MATTERS!!!
4th quarter Love!
Love with a big 3 late in the 4th!
WHAT DEFENSE!!!!!!!!! AMAZING!!
GREAT D on Gasol by MOZ!!
Nice to see both KLove and Moz out there right now…
Love with great closeout on Mirotic…
Andy looks like an eggplant today…
I miss seeing him play. He loves the tough match ups with Noah.
Kevin Love’s D on the last three possessions has been perfect.
Gonna be interesting if these teams play each other in the post season. Seven game series for sure.
Maybe. They’re certainly missing Hinrich tonight. He’s usually a Cavs killer.
Bulls are good, but don’t think it goes 7. Tough games, but 5 or 6 max…
Moz gets two straight dunks so you take him out?
That was bad positioning by Tristan on that Mirotic three.
I would’ve taken TT out instead of Love if I was Blatt
Nevermind… Love is still in
Would have taken TT out instead of Moz.
Yes… agree with that…
Delly played great D on Dunleavy… but TT couldn’t close out on Mirotic…
Nice D by Kevin there playing the shooter through the screen.
LBJ doesn’t look to happy to be getting up off the bench to come back in…
Interesting that Love is in at PF for LBJ
Did you know that Mazzilla sounds like “muff” or “missing guy” in russian?
No Love yet… but healthy dose of Moz in the fourth this time
And heeeere’s Kevin!
And he promptly travels.
Mirotic flops more than anyone this side of James Harden.
Eh. He’s no Dragic.
He’s certainly also got the longest beard this side of Harden too…
That overhead pass was 20 feet right on the hands.
Just glad Moz was able to handle it
WHAT A PASS! WHAT A CATCH! WHAT A FINISH!
THE RUSSIAN IS FLYING TO THE RIM!!!! LIKE SPUTNIK!!!
Just amazing passing by lebron
That’s true… LBJ is laser sharp this quarter on the pass
MOZZILLAAA!!!!
Mozilla! That’s how you finish!