Buzzer beaters have become the norm for the Cleveland Cavaliers (59-31 SU, 43-47 ATS) and the Chicago Bulls (56-36 SU, 46-46 ATS), making this one of the best series we have seen in the NBA playoffs in quite some time. The drama continues Tuesday night as we head back to the Q for Game 5 of this series.
ODDS ANALYSIS
This point spreads remain very close in this series, which shouldn't be all that surprising. The Cavaliers were -4.5 and -5.5 in the first two games at home, so settling right in the middle of those figures at -5 seems about right.
The total though, made a drastic dip for Game 5 after two very low scoring games in Chicago. The number, which sat between 194 and 195 in each of the first four games, has now dropped to 191.5.
INJURY REPORT
The Bulls were always handicapped in Game 4 by not having Pau Gasol thanks to a hamstring injury, but they acquitted themselves well anyway.
Gasol is still up in the air for Game 5, though by all accounts, he intends on giving it a go. His effectiveness (or lack thereof) could end up playing a huge role in what has essentially become a best-of-three series starting on Tuesday.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I was supposed to take the ball out. I told Coach there was no way I'm taking the ball out unless I could shoot it over the backboard and go in. So I told him, 'Have somebody else take the ball out.' The play that was drawn up, I scratched it. I just told Coach, 'Just give me the ball. We're either going to go into overtime or I'm going to win it for us." – Cavaliers forward LeBron James on the winning play of Game 4
BETTING TRENDS
- The Cavaliers are now just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games when playing on one day of rest. They’re 1-5 ATS in that stretch when having to travel between games.
- The Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall dating back to the romp over Milwaukee in Game 6 of the opening round.
- The UNDER is 3-1 in the last four games between these teams played at Quicken Loans Arena.
KEY STATS
+4: The rebounding margin for the Cavaliers in Game 4 of this series with Gasol sitting out. Chicago was +15 on the glass in Game 3 and +3 in Game 1. The team which has won the rebounding battle is undefeated in this series.
11: The biggest lead either team has had in the last two games of this series. Neither teams led at a timeout by more than eight points in either game, nor has led by more than seven at any interval in the last two games in the second half.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We really don't like what we see out of Cleveland right now. James is clearly playing on a bum ankle, and though we admire his "Get me the ball" logic (and think it's the right play to call), we hate the fact that he is almost braggadocios about the fact that he overruled his coach on the play.
If Gasol is back in the fold, we think that Chicago wins Game 5 of this series and pushes the Cavaliers to the brink of elimination. Even if he isn't, we still like the points in what should be another very close game.
Chicago 98, Cleveland 95
BookMaker opened the spread for this Tuesday game before anyone else on the 'net. The Cavaliers debuted at -5, while the total started at 191.5. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! The game between Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers will tip off Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
