Cleveland and Chicago Remain Favorites to Win Eastern Conference
Despite both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls underachieving, both have great stars, lots of depth and plenty of time to fulfill everyone’s expectations, including their own.
Last October, the Cavaliers and Bulls were the favorites to play for the Eastern Conference title. Today odd makers have them second and third behind the Atlanta Hawks.
Even though Atlanta has won 27 of its past 29 including 13 straight and the Washington Wizards have a great backcourt and depth in the frontcourt. The Bulls and Cavaliers will be there at the end battling for the conference title and a chance to make the NBA Finals.
This does not include just odds makers. A number of people close to the NBA and insiders believe that the conference finals in May will feature Cleveland and Chicago.
Of course, it is not easy to see during mid January with the Cavaliers barely over .500 at 21-20 and the Bulls having lost 6 of their past 8 games overall.
Cleveland defeated the Bulls on Monday night 108-94.
The Bulls and Cavs have the talent that makes it more favorable for them when it comes playoff time.
With stars on the roster, depth and time to correct the problems, the two teams are considered in the top three to battle for the Eastern Conference title.
On the most recent NBA Futures Board, the Cavs are at 6 to 1 to win the NBA title with Chicago at 7 to 1.
The Bulls current woes however continued Monday with their loss to Cleveland. Tom Thibodeau the Bulls head coach is upset about his club’s defense. On Monday, Chicago gave up over 100 points for the fifth straight game. Last season Chicago only allowed 100 points during regulation five times following January 1.
Chicago is No. 13 in defense, which is poor by their standards. Last season the Bulls finished No. 2.
Cleveland would love those numbers. The Cavs started the week No. 26 on defense.
David Blatt the Cavaliers head coach said the team’s win over Chicago Monday night was the best defensive effort of the season.
The team remains as one of the top three favorites since LeBron James has returned fresh and healthy since sitting out two weeks.
By recently acquiring J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov, the Cavs strengthened their guard position and down low.
On Monday, Mozgov scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. He frustrated the Bulls’ Pau Gasol. Mozgov’s size gives Cleveland something they have not had all season, even when Anderson Varejao was healthy.
On Monday, Smith had 20 points and hit six of his three point shots.
Blatt has played just an eight-man rotation of late and his players are responding with fine play and better efforts.
Look for both the Bulls and Cavs to be in the thick of things come May.
