Bulls Host Cavaliers in Game 3
Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference best of seven semifinal series will be played tonight at the United Center when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Chicago Bulls.
The current line has Chicago favored at home by 2 points with the over/under point total sitting on 196. The series is tied at 1-1.
Cleveland was desperate to win in Game 2 after losing Game 1 at home to the Bulls. The Cavaliers came out strong, led after the first quarter by 20 points and never looked back. The final score was 106-91, with Cleveland covering a 5.5-point spread as the home favorite.
In the opening game of the series, Chicago won 99-92 as a 4-point road dog. The UNDER thus far is 1-1 with both totals ending near 195.
In Game 2, David Blatt the Cavaliers head coach started Tristan Thompson, which allowed LeBron James to move back to his favored three spot. James responded well and scored 33 points after scoring only 19 in the first game of the series. James is next to impossible to stop if he is aggressive and he must play that way against Jimmy Butler one of Chicago’s best defenders.
Iman Shumpert a guard for Cleveland who has played well in both Games 1 and 2, injured his groin during the third quarter Wednesday and is questionable for Friday’s game.
The good news is J.R. Smith will return after sitting out Games 1 and 2 after being suspended.
Chicago should feel good after splitting Games 1 and 2 on the road, but will now feel the pressure at home of keeping the home court advantage they took from the Cavaliers.
Tom Thibodeau the Bulls head coach will likely be making his own adjustments to his lineup. The big key is how well will Derrick Rose play. He scored 14 points in Game 2, but missed 14 of his 20 shots. He has struggled each time he has played on just one day’s rest during the postseason this year.
Chicago at home during the postseason is 2-1 SU as well as ATS. On the road, Cleveland is 2-0 SU and ATS thus far in the postseason.
This game will be a close battle with both teams being evenly matched especially with Kevin Love out of the lineup for the Cavaliers. Chicago’s defense should respond with a strong game after giving up 106 points in Game 2.
Pick: A lean toward the Bulls and a stronger lean toward the UNDER is the play, as the defensive adjustments should outperform any on the offense.
