Cavaliers @ Bulls Preview <div align="center"> <font color="DarkRed">Cleveland Cavaliers</font> (24-35) @ <font color="Red">Chicago Bulls</font> (16-42)</div> Monday, Mar. 1, 7:00 pm Eastern United Center, Chicagi, IL TV: NBALP, WUAB Vegas Line: Check back gameday Season Series: Cavaliers 1, Bulls 1 12.20.03 Cavaliers 95 @ Bulls 87 12.26.03 Bulls 87 @ Cavaliers 80 Previous Game Cavaliers 112 @ Magic 107 OT Bulls 87 @ Wizards 95 (Play <font color="Navy">Warriors</font> today) Last 10 Games Cleveland: 5-5 (Won 1) Chicago: 3-7 (Lost 4) Head Coaches Paul Silas/Scott Skiles Probable Starters Jeff McInnis/Kirk Hinrich LeBron James/Jamal Crawford Eric Williams/Jerome Williams Carlos Boozer/Antonio Davis Zydrunas Ilgauskas/Eddy Curry 6th Men Tony Battie/Kendall Gill Injury Update Cavaliers Ruben Boumtje Boumtje J.R. Bremer Ira Newble - probable Bulls Scottie Pippen Chris Jefferies <div align="center">Players To Watch LeBron James/Jamal Crawford James: 20.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.50 steals Crawford: 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.38 steals</div> Keys To The Game <u>Cavaliers</u> Defend perimeter Keep Crawford out of the lane Feed Ilgauskas & s p r e a d the floor Post up LeBron on Crawford Attack the basket, make freethrows, run the floor and don't turn the ball over <u>Bulls</u> Spread the floor on the offensive end Must try box out on both ends Double Ilgauskas, make him find the open guy Play that shadow defense on LeBron, make someone else beat you Look for the open 3 point shooter The King's Take The first 2 meetings were very close, but this is a new Cavs these Bulls are seeing, most importantly, a Cavs team with Jeff McInnis. Ilgauskas has been on a tear of late and you just have to give him the basketball. It is just unfair to have Crawford trying to play defense on James, and with Jamal being the Bulls most explosive player and leading scorer, I attack him with LeBron James early. The Cavs killer in this series has been Kendall Gill. In the 2 games against the Cavs Kendall is putting up 18 points per game (one of those games he had to leave early due to injury) so I would love for someone to not give this guy open looks at the basket, please. All in all, Cavs should win this one, it will come down to how they defend the 3 point shot and how well Crawford, Hinrich, and Gill are shooting it. Cavs by 7 <font size="1">Please visit NBA.com</font>
Terrible year for tbe Bulls. They have alot of talent. Injuries also hinders the team from being capable of playing good team ball. Contain Jamal and Kirk and Cavs should be ok. My homeboys by 11.
Important game to win if Cavs shall have a chance to take a playoff spot, and I'll think they will, by 8.
The Bulls just can't pull things together this year. I think this game will be closer than many think though. I say Cav's by 3.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting coolhandluke:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls just can't pull things together this year. I think this game will be closer than many think though. I say Cav's by 3.</div> I agree, the only team we can seem to beat by a big number is the knicks.
NJ Nets just won a close game against Heat, 86-92 and hopefully Pacers beat Sixers tonight to. Cavs got a good position to take the playoffs spot now I think.
If Chicago does not play Chandler much for this game, that means the behind-the-scenes spats will continue to affect the Bulls. If Chicago wins, I would be shocked. They certaintly have the talent to beat many teams in the league but they've never put it together (or at least not consistently). Cavs by 5.
^ Yeah this game scares me too man, because the first 2 games were so close to the end. I have faith in these McInnis Cavs though, he is the difference maker.
yeah, McInnis hasn't played with Cavs against Bulls, or is that wrong? if, not, a good point guard and LeBron James at Shooting guard is better than last Cavs met Bulls I think, and it would be much change because of that I think. Cavs still by 8.
Anybody that watches the Cavs regularly knows that the Cavs always play down to their opponents level. The Bulls have played the Cavs tough even though they were riddled with injuries. Crawford usually gives the Cavs trouble because he's a gunner, and shooters seem to always get off plenty of open looks against us. I look for the Cavs to win, but I doubt it'll be big like some have predicted. The Cavs always manage to make a game close than it needs to be. Cavs by 5.
Hellas fellas......... Back from my road trip to complete isolation. Anyhow good to see the win over Orlando eventually, and still other results fall our way. The basketball gods finally are on our side. As for tonight, I see a two point win for us. Chicago will get their looks form outside, but hopefully they wont get too hot. As previously posted, we have to stop the other scorers. The Gill's, Davis's and Jerome Williams's. They score on hustle points, so Booz, Ira, Williams and co need to match that. Anyhow good to be back in civilisation and talking Cavs!
Game is tonight fellas, this has been up all weekend and we only got 15 posts now? Let's get some more opinions.
I hope we can out rebound the bulls they have a good depth front line that can get many boards. i dont see anyone stopping lebron. hinrich and mcinnis should be a good match up to watch. I say cavs by 6.
Yeah, King James, so far this preview has been bad posting numbers, not normal at all! Don't fell asleep guys, stay up and post here
Wont be around game time again but here are my thoughts.... Chicago do scare me tonight! They have two talented underachievers in Chandler and Curry in the front court who are capable of anything. Just need to keep them out of the game, whether it be us attacking offensive boards and frustrating them, or really getting in their face in defense. Antonio Davis has been big against us in the past, but he is older, slower, and less motivated. Lets hope it stick that way. I can only cross my fingers that KenDall Gill or Dupree dont burn us as the forgotten players in offense. Theres always one that burns us! There fire power in general come from range, in the form of Hinrich and Crawford. We need to minimise the open looks from outside although they will get there share. If we preesure Crawford and force some tough shots, Chicago will break down. For us the usual suspects are to be utilised. James needs to get at Crawford as he is fairly weak defensively. Ilgauskas can have his way on Curry. Curry cant board so Z can get many putback oppotunities! Kapono to me may see a DNP CD tonight. Have that feeling! I'll say Cavs by 7! Talk to you guys tomorrow!
Karm your leaving? But you didn't make your 30 posts of the day! Slacker. Anyways. Crawford has been worn down since the beginning of the season. He shouldn't be too much of a factor. It's Gill who kills the Cavs and is the one that needs to be maintained the most.
