It's finally here. The matchup I have waited months to cap. Lebron James and co vs that Bulls team he has dominated his whole career in the playoffs. We all know the record by now (12-3 career vs the Bulls in the playoffs), but we need to focus on the supporting cast this time around.
Let's analyze a few key points to this series.
Kevin Love being out - This hurts in a few ways for Cleveland. 1st off it causes spacing issues on the offensive end. If Blatt decides to go with Thomsphon at the 4 and Mosgov at 5 this will play right into Chicago's hands. I feel even though Love didn't put up 28 and 14 like he did with the sorry T-Wolves he chipped in a productive 16.4 and 9.7. Tristan is an absolute warrior on the offensive glass but his overall offensive game is extremely limited. If you can space the floor for Kyrie and Lebron to go to work and kick out to permitter oriented players it will cause long scoring droughts.
The evolution of Jimmy Butler - This guy has taken his game to a whole new level. Started out blazing, his numbers took a dip in the 2nd half of the year but these playoffs he has shown us it's his team. I think the biggest key to this year is the Cavs will have to respect his offensive game. That was never the case when Bron faced the Bulls. He would guard Lebron for 40+ and on the other end he couldn't make a consistent shot from 18 feet. There's two players that can contain Lebron (not stop but contain) and they are Kawhi and Paul George. The reason they can is because they make #23 work on the defensive end by attacking him every chance they get. I feel Jimmy Butler can fit into this mold.
Addition of Pau - This move was made strictly to beat Cleveland IMO. The front office knew they would have to sacrifice defense for offense if they wanted to make some noise in the playoffs. The biggest problem for the Bulls over the last 4-5 years in the postseason is their inability to score with 4 mins left in games. Pau adds a big time option on the block. He has the offensive IQ to go to work down low and can hit free throws when it matters. His defensive rotation are extremely bad but that why you have Noah there to anchor the middle. With no K Love, Pau shouldn't have to step out his comfort zone. Blatt will play Lebron at the 4 at some point I'd imagine.
Kyrie Irving - Remember folks this is his first real taste of the playoffs. I will be the first to admit this guy can play ball at an elite level. I mean the quickness and ball handling he posses is few and far between. But this is a different stage. He struggled in that Boston series. Not sure if it was nerves, the thought of getting other involved or Avery Bradley's tough on ball defense. Whatever the reason was he will need to be aggressive and take it to Rose from opening tip. I feel there will be games where him and Lebron will have to score 60-70 combined to win.
Bulls bench- The have arguably the deepest bench in the league. They will need big minutes from Aaron Brooks, Mirotic, Gibson and Tony Snell. Tibs loves to play his starters long minutes so a bench boost will do wonders for guys who have to play extreme minutes on both ends.
The 3 ball - Both teams are in the top half of the playoff (3rd and 4th respectively). The Bulls shoot 28 ppg while the Cavs shoot 30.5. Chicago shoots it at a better percentage but this factor will play huge in the series. Especially when it comes to Rose. Which Rose will we see here? The Rose who takes 4 more 3's after he's already 0-7 from behind the arc or the Rose who is attaching the basket and getting to the line.
I feel the K Love injury combine with the JR Smith 2 game suspension really puts the Cavs in a tough place. You don't just lose 2 key contributors/starters and everything is good. I think the series goes to Chicago on Friday tied 1-1. Not sure if the Bulls take game 1 or 2 but they will need to take 1. If you're ever going to knock out the king in the playoffs early this might be your best chance. Lebron will have to put the entire team on his back and have some of those memorable stat lines to get the job done this round IMO. Him and Kyrie will have to resemble Wade and Bron that year they played the Pacers and were down 2-1 going into game 4. I feel this series goes 7. It will be chippy, psychical, ugly to watch at times and most importantly for the fans it will competitive.
The play
Bulls series +205 5 units
Bulls +2.5 -220 3 units
Feedback is always welcomed. GL to everybody