Bulls need laser focus from the get-go against Cavs

The best reason to feel optimistic about the Bulls' chances in the second round of the NBA playoffs against Cleveland is the same one that made the Milwaukee series so frustrating.

While the Bulls showed a season-long tendency to relax against weaker opponents, they've also risen to the occasion, sometimes, when faced with a challenge.

Against the Bucks, the Bulls gave themselves a nice cushion, then took a nap on it, letting their 3-0 series lead drop to 3-2. When a sense of urgency set in, they delivered an epic blowout in Game 6.

If this theory holds true, the Cavaliers should have the Bulls' full attention from the very beginning of Round 2, which opens Monday at Quicken Loans Arena. That is, unless the Bulls ease up, thinking they'll be in good shape while Cleveland is down two starters for Games 1 and 2.

Forward Kevin Love is out for the playoffs after suffering a dislocated left shoulder last week against Boston, while sharpshooting guard J.R. Smith was suspended two games for striking Celtics guard Jae Crowder.

Maybe Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau should try to withhold that information from his players. Nice idea, but it's too late.

"(The Cavaliers) have a lot of talent. They're not in a situation right now because of one or two guys," Joakim Noah said after Game 6 at the Bradley Center. "They have a great team."

The Bulls took Friday off, so this is a good chance to look ahead and try to figure out what losing Love and Smith will mean for the Cavaliers in Round 2:

How valuable was Love?

Obviously, he's an all-star caliber player who's averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds over his career. This season, he was bigger factor on the boards when the Cavs played the Bulls.

Love was Cleveland's fourth-leading scorer against the Bulls, behind LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Smith. He averaged 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, while shooting just 28.6 percent from the field.

Then again, the one time the Bulls beat the Cavs on Feb. 12, Love didn't play. Neither did Jimmy Butler. Overall, Cleveland was 3-4 this season when Love sat out.

Who plays instead?

Tristan Thompson most likely moves in at power forward, joining center Timofey Mozgov to give the Cavs a decent inside duo. Thompson was fifth in the league in offensive rebounds this season and averaged 5.5 per game against the Bulls.

The thing is, now Cleveland needs to come up with a big man to come off the bench and there aren't any great options. Kendrick Perkins played a total of six minutes in the Boston series. Shawn Marion, 36, played one minute. Brendan Haywood is on the roster, but rarely plays.

What usually happens when Love sits out is the Cavs put another 3-point shooter on the floor, most often James Jones. This could create some interesting matchup strategy, since the Bulls almost never resort to using one big man.

If Jones' body of work over 12 NBA seasons (5.6 points, 39.8 percent from 3-point range) doesn't have you shaking in fear, that's just the numbers talking.

How much will the Cavs miss J.R. Smith?

Well, Smith was a huge factor in the two games the Bulls played in Cleveland. He averaged 22 points and hit 14 of 26 shots from 3-point range.

In the Feb. 12 game at the United Center, Smith was 1-for-5 from long range and scored 8 points. So maybe it bodes well for the Bulls that Smith's two-game suspension will wipe out a couple of home games. When he comes back for Games 3 and 4 at the United Center, Smith will be out of his comfort zone, in theory.

Who plays instead of Smith?

Oak Park native Iman Shumpert figures to play more and he's never been a big scorer. He averaged 7.2 points this season and shot 34 percent from 3-point range.

Matthew Dellavedova, a 6-foot-4 Australian, is the player to keep an eye on. He averaged 20 minutes per game during the regular season and shot 40.7 percent from 3-point range - second-best on the team behind Irving's 41.5 percent.

Mike Miller, 35, is a name that comes to mind. He has vast playoff experience, but wasn't much of a factor for the Cavs this season. He didn't play at all in the Celtics series.

Are the Cavs in trouble?

Well, it seems almost imperative for the Bulls to win at least one of those first two games in Cleveland, when the Cavs will be missing two starters.

Even so, the Cavaliers still have two superstars on the floor. James averaged 28.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists against the Bulls this season. Irving was at 21.3 points and 6.5 assists against the Bulls, although he shot just 35.1 percent from inside the 3-point line.

Whether his talents are in Cleveland or South Beach, clearly the Eastern road to the Finals runs past LeBron's house. If the Bulls get even slightly comfortable about winning this series, they'll have no chance.

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