It’s make-or-break time, as we’ve got a pair of crucial Game 5 NBA postseason matches coming your way tonight.
First off, the Chicago Bulls travel back to Quicken Loans Arena to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the series tied at two apiece, both the Bulls and the Cavs are looking to take the series lead, and take one win closer to reaching the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
Out in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Clippers have the 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets. The Clips will try to close out this series with a Game 5 victory in Houston.
As the NBA postseason develops, so does the race for the Stanley Cup. Don’t miss out on our NHL postseason coverage, and head on over to our preview for the Game 7 matchup between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Bulls (+5.5) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (-5.5); total: 191.5 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]James scored the game-winning bank-shot as time expired, as the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 4, 86-84, to tie the series at 2-2. In his last 5 games, LeBron is averaging close to a triple-double with 26 points, 11 boards and nine assists. But Kyrie Irving is struggling badly with injuries. In his last two games, Irving has scored a total of 23 points on just 5-for-25 shooting from the field. For the past 10 games, The Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS when facing the Bulls in Cleveland.
Chicago’s Pau Gasol missed Game 4 due to a hamstring injury, and is very questionable to play in Game 5. Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson registered a total of just nine points and 11 rebounds in Game 4. Without Gasol, the Bulls need to find ways for their frontcourt players to step up offensively. Starting center Joakim Noah has failed to hit double-digit scoring marks in all of four games in this series.
Writer’s Prediction
LeBron James leads the Cavaliers to another close victory over the Bulls, 92-87.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets (9:30 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Clippers (-2.5) vs. Houston Rockets (+2.5); total: 218.5 – view all NBA lines
The Los Angeles Clippers are one win away from finally earning their first trip to the Western Conference Finals. The Clippers defeated the Rockets at the Staples Center by over 20 points in Games 3 and 4. Los Angeles can attribute their recent offensive barrage to the return of their floor general, Chris Paul, who missed the first two games due to a hamstring injury.
The Rockets meanwhile, have to find an answer for their offensive woes. After averaging over 110 points per game in their first seven games this postseason, Houston has failed to hit the 100-point mark in both Games 3 and 4. Look for James Harden to continue his stellar play and have the Rockets fight for another day. In this series with the Clippers, he is averaging 24 points and nine assists on 45 percent shooting.
The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games played in Houston.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rockets win 121-112, and force a Game 6 to be played back in Los Angeles.
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