Bulls try to keep streaks alive against reeling Cavs
The Bulls seemed to be onto something about the Cleveland Cavaliers' potential vulnerability early this season.
The teams first met on Dec. 2, the night LeBron James created a frenzy by walking into the United Center wearing a full Cubs uniform, the result of losing his World Series wager with Dwyane Wade.
The Cavaliers had their regular lineup intact that night, but the Bulls dominated the boards and won the game 111-105. Cleveland seemed to be lacking an inside presence, playing 6-10 Tristan Thompson as an undersized center, while outside shooter Channing Frye was the primary backup.
When the Cavs return to the United Center on Thursday, they'll be trying to correct an alarming slide. They've lost eight of their last 13 and three of four. During the last six games, the Cavaliers defense have allowed opponents to shoot 50.9 percent from the field - second worst in the league - and given up 114.8 points per contest.
The Bulls appear to be a defensive juggernaut in comparison. They've won four in a row against Cleveland and 19 straight home games televised by TNT, so this could be an interesting game.
After getting thumped in San Antonio on Monday, the Cavaliers practiced in Chicago on Wednesday afternoon.
"I anticipate them coming out with fire," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said after Wednesday's practice at the Advocate Center. "We're going to have come out with great energy and urgency and hopefully get off to a good start."
There are a couple of explanations for Cleveland's slide. Basically, they're trying to work in Kevin Love and J.R. Smith after long injury layoffs, and aren't getting help from their late-season additions.
Former Bulls guard Kyle Korver, who was red hot from 3-point range after joining the Cavs, has been hampered by a foot injury. He's not expected to play in Thursday's game.
Cleveland signed center Andrew Bogut to help the inside game, but he suffered a broken leg in his first appearance with the team. Ex-Bucks center Larry Sanders has been playing mostly in the D-League to get back in basketball shape.
Former Dallas point guard Deron Williams is playing, but making a minor impact with the second string. Meanwhile, Love (13.5 ppg in March) and Smith (27.3 percent from 3-point range since returning from injury) haven't returned to their usual levels.
"They shoot the 3-ball as well as any in the league, and they have matchup problems all over the court," Hoiberg said. "The big thing is going out there and executing our game plan and hopefully force them into spots on the floor where they don't usually go and contest it."
Including last season, the Bulls have won six of their last seven games against the Cavs. LeBron James didn't play in the last meeting on Feb. 25, while Love and Kyrie Irving sat out the Bulls' Jan. 4 win in Cleveland.
The TNT streak, which dates back to Feb. 28, 2013, fits with the character of the Bulls in recent years. Under former coach Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls were all about rising to the occasion in big games without an injured Derrick Rose. The past two years with Hoiberg at the helm, they've played better against teams with winning records and had a troubling tendency to leave their A-game in the locker room against teams they should beat.
The Bulls had a rare three-day break since winning in Milwaukee 109-94 on Sunday. That's another puzzling result, since the Bucks have been hot, but the Bulls usually play well when one of their young guys steps up with a big game and lately it's been Nikola Mirotic. He scored a season-high 28 points in Milwaukee and hit 12 of 15 shots from the field last week against Detroit.
Mirotic talked about trying to stay hot after Wednesday's practice.
"Come here before practice, spend a little more time on shooting. And especially at the beginning of the game, try to take more of those shots and see how it's going," he said. "If I have an open shot, just try to take it, and if you make it, keep shooting. That's all."
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Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center, 7 p.m. Thursday
TV: TNT
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Outlook: The Cavaliers haven't always been at full strength when facing the Bulls this season, but they should be close in this game. PF Kevin Love has been back for six games since recovering from a knee injury, while SG J.R. Smith has been back for 11 games after missing most of the season with a thumb injury. Cleveland has struggled to put things back together, going 5-8 over the last 13 games. Smith has shot 27 percent from 3-point range since returning. LeBron James is as good as ever, averaging 26 points, 8.8 assists and 8.4 rebounds. PG Kyrie Irving is at 25.3 ppg. Former Bulls SG Kyle Korver is out with a foot injury. The Bulls are 3-0 against the Cavs this season and 6-1 over the past two years.
Next: Atlanta Hawks at the United Center, 4 p.m.
- Mike McGraw