Live Thread: Cavs @ Bulls

Good evening CtB!

Tonight, NBA fans are in for a treat as the Cleveland Cavaliers venture across Interstate 90 to the Windy City to take on the Eastern Conference’s top team (by decimal points), the Chicago Bulls. The center of the NBA basketball world is yet again the Central Division as the Cavs, Bulls, and Bucks dominate the top of the standings. It should be an intense, playoff like atmosphere in the United Center.

Both teams are dealing with injuries to key players. Outside of the obvious for the Cavs, Lamar Stevens and Rajon Rondo will both be out tonight. Luckily, Dylan Windler and Brandon Goodwin have played at an acceptable level, thus there shouldn’t be any pressure whatsoever to rush Stevens or Rondo back onto the court.

As for the Bulls, they’ve hit a bit of a rough patch with injuries. They will be missing several key players including Zach Lavine, Lonzo Ball, Derrick Jones Jr., and Jevonte Green. Elite perimeter defender Alex Caruso will be back, so that should be a massive boost.

Interestingly, the betting public has figured out the staying power of the Cavs and are heavily counting on a Cavs’ win. But the Bulls have an extremely high-powered offense driven by a familiar Cavs’ foe, DeMar DeRozan. The Cavs’ defense will have to compete and dominate for the full 48 minutes if they’re going to grind out a massive road win.

As for the Cavs’ offense, they need to stay true to themselves and play through the bigs, but also find ways to get Darius Garland loose from Alex Caruso should they match them up. It will be a fascinating chess match between two teams on course to potentially collide in the playoffs.

Tip off is scheduled for 8:00PM ET and will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes… GO CAVS!!!