The No. 3 Chicago Bulls (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) look for a commanding 2-0 Eastern Conference semifinal series lead over the No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) when the teams meet Wednesday in Game Two. You can watch the game live on TNT.
The Bulls had a wonderful opportunity in Game One and they took advantage by dominating the Cavaliers, who played without the injured Kevin Love and suspended JR Smith, to take a 1-0 series lead with a 99-92 win on Monday. Chicago can take a commanding lead in the series with a win Wednesday
Cleveland suffered its first loss of the postseason after sweeping Boston in the first round and lost for just the second time in its last 24 home games falling 99-92 Monday. The Cavs were sluggish from the start, possibly due to the seven days in between games. The Cavaliers failed to score triple-digits for the third straight game with Chicago and the teams cashed the under in each of the last two contests. This series will be a dogfight with scores similar to Game One.
KEY INJURY
Bulls guard Derrick Rose apparently hurt his shoulder late in the fourth quarter when trying to fight through a screen. He slumped immediately after contact and grabbed his shoulder with his good arm as play continued. He revealed postgame it was just a stinger and he was fine.
As mentioned previously Cleveland forward Kevin Love is out for the playoffs after having surgery on his dislocated left shoulder. The injury occurred in the fourth game of the Cavs opening round series with Boston.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“Every year is different. Yes, I’ve had success but that doesn’t mean anything today. My approach is always the same but every playoff run is different and for me I have to make sure myself, and my guys, are ready for a very, very competitive and well-coached ball club.” – Cavs forward LeBron James
BETTING TRENDS
- Chicago is 7-2 ATS in its last eight games overall.
- Cleveland is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 home games.
- The UNDER is 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings in Cleveland.
KEY STATS
0: Bulls center Joakim Noah failed to score in 29 minutes on Monday but did grab nine rebounds. It was the first time Noah went scoreless this season.
30: Cleveland guard Kyrie Irving scored 30 points Monday, his second 30-point game in five playoff contests, and is averaging 24.6 points per game.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Finally fully healed after dealing with an assortment of injuries to key personnel all season, the Bulls are peaking at the perfect time. Coming off a 54-point first-round series-clinching win over Milwaukee, Chicago took control early and never trailed to draw first blood against their Central Division rival. Looking like the MVP he was before being slowed by knee injuries, Derrick Rose led the Bulls with 25 points with Chicago making 50 percent of its shots and an even healthier 55.6 percent from three-point range.
The big question surrounding the Cavaliers was how would they move on without Kevin Love? And how would they handle being without JR Smith? If Monday’s game is any indication, we have our answer – not very well. The Cavs were slow out of the gate and fell behind early, played catch up the entire first half and eventually tied the game early in the third quarter and when it seemed like the Cavs were poised to pull away, bang. They let up and the Bulls went on a 15-0 run to take control of the game and seize homecourt advantage in the series.
The Bulls have a chance to put a stranglehold on this series by taking the first two on the road while the Cavs wait to get JR Smith back from his suspension. Chicago was blistering hot shooting 50 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three-point range picking up where they left off from the Milwaukee series. The Cavs lost the game but more importantly played for the first time since losing Kevin Love and JR Smith. Smith will return but figuring out rotations and how to cover the loss of Love was huge. With a game under their belt we like the Cavs to even the series. And the Bulls can’t shoot that well the whole series.
Cleveland 98, Chicago 95
The NBA odds for this game will first open at BookMaker sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next half. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers will start at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Quicken Loans Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
