Live Thread: Cavs @ Bulls

The Cavs kick off a three game road trip in Chicago tonight. During their previous two games/losses, Cleveland has looked awful playing winning ball only in the opening minutes before slowly giving away their lead and forgetting why turnovers, lazy defense, and ISO ball are ineffective. Tonight is a good chance to bounce back. Fans will get to see if Tyronn Lue was able to get through to anybody during the layoff yesterday.

Chicago’s starting line up of Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Taj Gibson, and Robin Lopez are all non-proven threats from downtown, so Cleveland should pack the paint and hang tough. And, for everyone citing Wades 37% shooting from downtown, just go to basketball reference and remember he shot 15.9% from deep last season. Same with Jimmy Butler. He’s shooting 40% from beyond the arc so far this season, but he ended last season at 31.2%.

Defensively is where this Bulls team makes their mark. Everyone on the team is capable and their starting group is downright nasty. They’re going to make the Cavs feel it when they drive to the rim. Taj Gibson may even kick someone if provoked enough. Ask Delly about that. And, Wade always seems to be around where guys are falling down accidentally. Chicago is currently seven in opponent’s points allowed giving up just 98.8 per game.

The Cavs need this win tonight. They need to show they remember how to focus on one end of the floor. Slipping on both is a guaranteed way to lose. Slipping up on just one side is bad, but the Cavs have enough talent to do that and still win.

Three Things to Watch

–J.R. Smith has been taking hits in the media and scored just three points against the Clippers. Lue probably sat him down again. I want to see him come out and just take what he’s given offensively. I want to see him lock down Wade or Butler and show he’s worth his contract even when his shot isn’t falling.

-LeBron James needs to have an all around good game tonight. During the past two losses, Cleveland has had just 29 total assists. To put that number into perspective, remember they’ve had 30 assists in single games twice this year. The King orchestrates the offensive side of the ball. He needs to stop turning it over, and needs to show effort on the defensive end by getting steals to lead the team in transition for easy buckets.

-Kyrie Irving isn’t a defensive mastermind, but against Rondo he should be. Watch for him to go under the pick all night long denying passing lanes and layups. Kyrie often gives as much as he takes, that shouldn’t be the case tonight. He scored 12 points at the rim against DeAndre Jordan. Robin Lopez and Taj Gibson aren’t as good as Jordan, so he should be making beautiful love to the back board all night long.

Mike Dunleavy is out for the Cavs with a concussion. Doug McDermott, Michael Carter Williams, and Paul Zipser are out for the Bulls.