NBA Predictions: Bulls vs. Cavaliers Picks
NBA betting action sees the Chicago Bulls taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday May 12th at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides free NBA handicapping tips all season long.
Both teams return to Cleveland following their own respective buzzer beating shots. Derrick Rose banked in a game winner in Game 3 to give the Bulls a 2-1 series lead. That was only to be followed up by a Lebron James fade away jumper at the buzzer in Game 4 to even things back up. Now both teams look to take a 3-2 lead as the series shifts back to Cleveland. This time around, the fans inside Quicken Loans Arena will get to see J.R. Smith as he missed the first two in Cleveland due to suspension.
NBA Odds
Chicago Bulls (56-36) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (59-31)
Tuesday, May 12th
7:00 PM ET
Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
TNT
NBA Betting Lines: Cleveland -5.5
NBA O/U: 191
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls saw their home court advantage go up in flames as Lebron James faded away from the corner with 1.1 seconds and drilled a game winning shot. Now, Chicago will try to steal home court advantage back as they invade Quicken Loans Arena on Tuesday night, where they’ve proven they can win.
The recipe for success has come from Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose. In Game 1, the duo combined for 45 points and in Game 3 they went for 50.
The biggest question mark for Chicago right now will be Pau Gasol and his health. Gasol missed Game 4 with a hamstring injury and his presence was greatly missed. He will test out his hamstring at shoot around Tuesday morning. Gasol went for 21 and 10 in the Bulls Game 1 win, but his contributions have greatly decreased as he’s battled his hamstring. If healthy, Chicago would be in a much better place for Game 5.
Should he not be able to go, the pressure will be shifted once again to C Joakim Noah. Noah did have 15 rebounds in Game 4, but contributed only 8 points. He’ll need to pick up the scoring to replace Gasol’s missing points.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have felt the struggles at times without Kevin Love in the lineup. With the help of some bench players stepping up and Lebron James and Kyrie Irving, Cleveland isn’t backing down from anyone. Lebron James buzzer beater was just another notch in his belt as he gave Cleveland home court advantage back.
Health is the main thing stopping Cleveland at this moment however. Even though they will play through it, Lebron James and Kyrie Irving are far from 100% according to reports.
Kyrie Irving’s MRI showed he not only had a sprained right foot, but also had tendinitis in his left knee.
Irving has shot just 5 of 23 from the field over the past two games.
Lebron James has been battling an ankle injury all post season, but announced he will for sure play in Game 5.
Lebron will look to find his range from behind the arc as he is just 2 of 19 from 3 point range.
NBA Handicapping Trends:
- Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
- Bulls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
- Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a S.U. win.
- Cavaliers are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 vs. NBA Central.
Free 4* NBA Pick: Chicago +5.5
With the status and news of Irving not being close to 100%, the Bulls with the points here is the play. This should be a close, back and forth game like both games in Chicago.
Chicago 99, Cleveland 98
