Things are going from bad to worse for the reigning NBA champions as they suffered a humiliating 103-74 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. The Cavs not only lost for the fourth time in the last six games but they also lost their stranglehold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. With their loss to the Spurs, the Cavs fell a half-game behind Boston for first place in the East.
It won’t get any easier for the Cavs as standing in their way in their next match are the Chicago Bulls. The Cavs have lost each of their last four meetings with the Bulls. United Center has proven to be a nightmare destination for the Cavs with Cleveland losing all of its last three games there. For the Cavaliers to reverse that trend, they will need to improve on their play on the defensive end. Over the last 25 games, opponents have failed to crack 100 points just three times. Their defensive rating since the All-Star break is second-worst in the NBA. No wonder the Cavs are just 8-10 since the break.
The Cavs are 1-4 ATS in their last five road games.
The Chicago Bulls returned to winning ways Sunday with a resounding 109-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. All five starters scored in double-figures for the Bulls who moved to within a game of the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Leading the way for Chicago in this victory was Jimmy Butler. He scored 20 points and dished out a career-high 14 assists on Sunday. It was the third straight game with double-digit assists for Butler, who is also the Bulls’ leading scorer this season.
The Bulls will need more of the same from Butler this coming Thursday if they are to complete the season sweep against the Cavaliers. Butler has tormented Cleveland all season, averaging 21.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists in three meetings against them this campaign. Another guy who’s expected to contribute for the Bulls in this clash is Nikola Mirotic. He exploded for a season-high 28 points in the win against Milwaukee. March has proven to be Mirotic’s month as he is averaging 15.6 points a game during this period over his three-year NBA career.
The Bulls are 6-0 ATS in their last six games against the Cavs.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cavs (-5.5) finally end their losing skid with a 106-99 victory.
