King James came to the Cavs’ rescue once again, and he didn’t need the help of the backboard either. LeBron James’ game-winning jumper as time expired in Game 4 continued an entire weekend’s worth of buzzer-beaters, and more importantly, helped the Cavs tie their series with the Bulls at two games apiece. LeBron hasn’t quite been playing to his incredibly high standards in this series, but he’s shown he can be called upon to produce in the big moments.
With a big opportunity to take a 3-2 lead at home, can LeBron lead the Cavs to another important victory? Read on for our in-depth preview of Game 5.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets will be fighting for their playoff lives on Tuesday. Check out our preview of the Clippers vs. Rockets Game 5.
[sc:NBAArticles ]
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – Chicago Bulls 99 at Cleveland Cavaliers 92
Game 2 – Chicago Bulls 91 at Cleveland Cavaliers 106
Game 3 – Cleveland Cavaliers 96 at Chicago Bulls 99
Game 4 – Cleveland Cavaliers 86 at Chicago Bulls 84
Game 5 – May 12, 7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bulls (+5.5) at Cleveland Cavaliers(-5.5); total 192.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 6 – May 14, TBD – Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls
Game 7* – May 17, TBD – Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
* if necessary
Betting on the Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have to feel they let one slip in Game 4. They were up 11 with less than a minute to go in the third quarter at home, but scored just 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting in the fourth quarter to surrender home-court advantage. The Bulls still covered as three-point home underdogs, though, putting them at 7-3 against the spread in the playoffs.
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Bulls could rue wasting another great Derrick Rose game. Rose scored 31 points on 48 percent shooting in Game 4 to register his first back-to-back 30-point games since January 2012. He and Jimmy Butler combined for 50 of the team’s 84 points. Rose has been spectacular in this series, averaging 25 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.5 assists, but it’s still questionable just how long this type of play will last.
Missing Pau Gasol in Game 4 due to his hamstring injury was huge for the Bulls, who didn’t have anyone other than Rose and Butler score in double figures. The banged up Joakim Noah put up a valiant effort with 15 rebounds but continues to struggle offensively. He’s just 5-of-23 at the rim in the series.
Starting forwards Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy combined for 10 points on 3-of-14 shooting in Game 4, while Nikola Mirotic went 1-of-9 from the field off the bench.
Gasol is still questionable to return for Game 5, and will be a big blow for the Bulls if he can’t go. The Bulls are well short on frontcourt scoring, and will need the likes of Dunleavy to pop up with one of his unexpected big scoring games. The Bulls are a perfect 6-0 when Dunleavy has hit three or more three-pointers in the playoffs, and are 0-4 when he hasn’t.
LeBron James stepped up to save the day with the game-winning bucket in Game 4, but he’s been far from vintage King James in this series. He’s averaging a near triple-double with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, but is shooting just 37.7 percent from the field, 10.5 percent from three and is committing close to six turnovers per game.
Having to shoulder the load without the injured Kevin Love and dealing with Jimmy Butler’s defense have been the big reasons for James’ drop in efficiency. And now, James also has to deal with the fact that Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert are struggling with their respective injuries.
Irving’s foot problem has slowed him down significantly. He scored 23 points and went 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) in two games in Chicago. Meanwhile, Shumpert has scored just 13 points on 3-of-13 (23 percent) shooting from three-point range since injuring his groin in Game 2.
If Irving and Shumpert don’t get better any time soon, James will have to continue carrying a lot of the load himself. LeBron hasn’t quite been playing at his peak, but a return home should somewhat ease his shooting woes. He’s shooting 45 percent in Cleveland in the playoffs compared to 39 percent on the road.
But the Cavs’ X-factor for Game 5 could be Timofey Mozgov. The Cavs center was the unsung hero in Game 4 with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. With the Bulls’ frontcourt all sorts of banged up, Mozgov (9.5 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game in the series) can suddenly become the most effective big man in the series.
The Cavs are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six games against the Bulls.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cavs’ injuries prevent them from pulling away at home. Take the Bulls (+5.5) to battle hard and manage to cover on the road.
