QUICKHIT: Cavs 106, Bulls 101
2015-05-12CAVS WIN! They beat Chicago in game 5, 106-101 & take a 3-2 series lead.
LeBron finishes w/ 38 Pts, 12 Reb, 6 Ast. pic.twitter.com/mV9StSmrlk
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 13, 2015
That game had EVERYTHING. I’m not sure how I’m going to recap it and get any sleep. LeBron played possibly his best playoff game in a Cavs uniform since 2009. He completely dominated in the first half and finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks (including a highlight, series-saving block on D Rose) and ZERO, (count them…wait you can’t) ZERO Turnovers. Incredible. He was dominant in the half-court from mid-range, backing down Jimmy Butler and tossing socks into a laundry basket from every angle.
Kyrie Irving’s first shot hit the side of the backboard. Derrick Rose exploited him so badly in the opening minutes people were adamantly wondering why he was even trying to play. The Cavs were down double digits in the 1st quarter and the Bulls looked like they were alone in the gym. I wondered to myself if the Cavs would crack 70 points. Then they hit a few tough shots, then a few more tough shots, then got a few transition buckets, the crowd energy started to build, and the game (not the gimpy Cavs) started to slow down.
The second half had a completely different feel and enough mini story-lines to fill a weeks’ worth of games. The Cavs started out flat once again. Kyrie looked like Uncle Drew at the end of the commercial instead of the beginning. On offense. Mike Dunleavy would not let the Cavs have nice things. The bench Mob pushed the lead to 17. Delly buried a 3 that almost brought the house down and a split second later, Mirotic swished a past-half-court buzzer beater. Delly and Gibson got “tangled up” and Gibson kicked Delly in the back, earning an ejection. The Bulls suddenly became unconscious from behind the arc and erased a 17-point lead in just a few minutes while the Cavs went into the LeBron-led prevent offense with 6+ minutes to go. Derrick Rose streaked down the floor with one man to beat and had a chance to tie the game with under a minute to left. LeBron swatted the layup attempt out of bounds. On the next possession, the Cavs choke job continued, but in a sequence that could be used to define the series, Tristan Thompson got a fingertip on the miss, deflecting it slightly towards the other side of the scrum where Delly tipped it ever so slight towards the top of the key where Shumpert elevated and tip-passed it to Kyrie near half-court. The Bulls had to foul, Kyrie drained the freebies, and the Cavs held on. With duct-tape, spare-parts, and a lot of heart.
This series has been one for the ages. In the last 3 games there have been moments where all logic and foresight would indicate that either team was finished, facing an insurmountable task, or hanging on by an unsustainable thread. And then when we least expect it there is a tectonic shift in the opposite direction. One thing that can be safely said about these two teams – they will not stop playing no matter the score, the adversity, the immediate past history, the injuries, or the burning hot coaching seats.
It’s good to be back here.
If anyone sees Joe Vardon please do CAVS nation a favor and punch that douche in the face.
WHat did he say? Is it any worse that Magnotti calling Delly a goon and a cockroach?
All the idiot local media (Bull and Fox, Windbag, Kylie and Shrooms) are now pretending like they knew how valuable Delly is… Joke local media. They should be ashamed!!!!!
Man I wish I would have heard that. Kylie and Booms have been so hateful on Delly for a long time. Btw, you know Booms got fired last week. They discoverd people were tuning the program out.
I love Delly but I’d probably hate him if I were a Bulls fan. He’s so crafty!
Goodnight CtB, see you tomorrow1111111111111111111111111111111
I know Butler is going to get a huge deal, but I don’t think he’s all that much better than Shumpert. He just plays a larger role. I also love Smith and what he brings.
Delly played well again, except for an awful turnover with about 1 minute left.
But this game belonged to LeBron and to a lesser extent, Kyrie. That block on Rose by LeBron was amazing.
Butler deserves Big Money for Work horse he has been. He is the heart and soul of that team not Rose. Delly was absolutely awesome in this game. He took alot of cheap hits all night long from Brooks, Gibson, Noah. Refs do not respect him. It was justice served when they finally did punish Gibson.
Wow. Great win. Kyrie looked good and then it looked like whatever painkillers he was given just ran out and he couldn’t stay with anyone on defense for the 4th quarter.
Finally we looked like the Cavs. LeBron and Kyrie remembered they are good shooters.
LeBron called Delly the toughest player on the team.
LeBron postgame: “And then he kicks him in the ass.”
LeBron also mentioned a prior play where Gibson threw Delly across the lane.
Maybe the Cavs need to send some film to the league of what the officials should watch for next game.
someone needs to get the Moz out to the Brew Garden for some burgers / beer —need a SUNDAY repeat performance for the next game
During the wired up segment that NBA TV just showed of the postgame congratulations, there was a little extra appreciation from Blatt for Kyrie.
DELLY IS AMAZING!!!!
CWebb had me so angry. Gibson pushed Delly in the HEAD before the leglock, and THEN he kicked him. And CWebb was obsessing over the leglock. It made no sense.
Rose seemed a bit beat up by end.
The toughness rating of Shump, Delly, and TT is 1.6 Gazillion.
I could not be more impressed with Delly, Shump, and TT this series. So much heart, so many heady plays, so many extra possessions.
Delly and Shump stepping up to hit some 3s that K Love would usually convert.
The half-court defense on the Bulls has been stifling at times.
I used to hate on Delly’s limitations, but he has earned a permanent spot in my Cleveland Sports hall of fame. He has really figured out his strengths, and efficiently focuses on them. And he is tough as g@d damn nails.