Vegas Line at this writing: Chicago -1.5 (195.5)
Injury Report as of this writing
Cavs:
G Iman Shumpert (Groin) questionable
F Kevin Love (Shoulder) season
G JR Smith returns after two game league suspension
Bulls:
Derrick Rose (Knee) is probable
Based on the first two games in the series, the team that plays defense and shoots the ball at the better percentage is going to come away with the win. In Game One, the Cavs were 7-26 from behind the arc and got only seven bench points as two of the reserves were forced to start. In Game Two, the Cavs were 12-26 from downtown, got 17 off the bench by James Jones alone, led by 20 after the first quarter in dropping 64 first half points on Chicago. Lebron, who was 9-22 from the field in Game One was dominant in Game Two finishing with 33 points and making Jimmy Butler look very ordinary on several occasions.
The Bulls hit everything in Game One finishing 40-80 for 50% from the field including 10-18 from beyond the arc. Behind the eight ball off the jump in Game Two, the Bulls shot 32-79 (40.3%) for the game including 7-22 treys. Derrick Rose was a monster in Game One with extra rest which has been his MO since hurting his knees. Rose was pedestrian at best in Game Two and will be playing back-to-backs the rest of the way unless there is a Game Seven. Jimmy Butler had a poor game in Game Two and Pao Gasol had 11/4 on Wednesday after posting 21/10 in the win. The only thing consistent about the Bulls is that they are inconsistent. This is a game they figure to be sharp.
The Cavs have won and covered four of the six series games this year but the Bulls have won three of the last four meetings at the United Center. Over the last three years the Bulls are 4-2 SU and ATS on this floor in the series with the over also going 4-2. The series over the L3 years is 9-6 SU and ATS Chicago but is of little relevance here as these are two entirely different teams. The Cavs have won seven of eight while going 5-3 vs. the number. The Under is 4-1 in the Cavs L5. The Bulls are 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS L12 with the Under 4-1 in their L5 games.
Cavs: Players to watch (Probable Starters)
PG Kyrie Irving 21.7, 3.2, 5.2)
C Timofy Mozgov (9.7, 7.3, 0.7)
SG Iman Shumpert (8.0, 3.6, 2.0)
PF Tristan Thompson (8.5, 8.0, 0.5)
SF Lebron James (25.3, 6.0, 7.5)
* JR Smith (12.1, 3.1, 2.2) would likely start for Shumpert if he’s unable to go
Bulls: Players to watch (Probable Starters)
C Joakim Noah (7.2, 9.6, 4.7)
PF Pao Gasol (18.5, 11.8, 2.7)
SF Mike Dunleavy ( 9.4, 3.9, 1.8)
PG Derrick Rose (17.7, 3.2, 4.9)
SG Jimmy Butler (20.0, 5.8, 3.3)
Allen’s Angles
Cleveland is 3-12 this year as an underdog, 0-3 as a road dog of three or less
The Cavs are 17-9 L26 vs teams averaging more than 99 ppg.
The Over is 8-3 in Cleveland’s L11 as a road dog of three or less
The Over is 11-6 this year when the Cavs are off a division game
The Bulls are 14-7 ATS in their L21 vs. winning records
Chicago is 13-7 ATS L20 as a home favorite of three or less, 4-1 this year
The Over is 5-0 this year when the Bulls are home faves of three or less
The Under is 15-9 TY in Chicago games vs. division opponents