NBA Predictions: Bulls vs. Cavaliers Picks
NBA Basketball playoff betting sees the Chicago Bulls taking on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 at Quicken Loans Arena, in Cleveland, Ohio. Cappers Picks provides free NBA Basketball handicapping tips all season long.
Cleveland battled injuries to everyone throughout the entire 2014-2015 season.
NBA Basketball Odds
Chicago Bulls (4-2) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-0)
Monday, May 4th
7:00 PM ET
TNT
Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
NBA Basketball Odds: Cleveland -4.5
NBA Basketball O/U: 195.5
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They saw Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love all sit out multiple games, but they got their health situation handled and became one of the most dominating teams down the stretch.
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Now, they’ll have to deal with Kevin Love out, and J.R. Smith missing the first two games when they take on the Bulls. With both players out, the door is open for Derrick Rose and company to upset the Cavaliers.
(3) Chicago Bulls
The Bulls got some help in their series against the Cavaliers without even having to play them. The Bulls gained a giant advantage in the depth department, as they get set for Game 1 in Cleveland. Chicago needed 6 games to beat Milwaukee, but gained all their swagger back in Game 6 as they dropped 120 points and won by 56. Chicago came out with a purpose from the outset and didn’t look back after the opening tip.
While Derrick Rose is obviously going to be the main game changer in this series for Chicago, he’ll need his teammates to step up as well.
Pau Gasol continued his excellence in the post season as he recorded 5 double-doubles in the series against Milwaukee. He averaged 16.3 points and 11.8 rebounds in the series and can really change the series if he throws up those numbers against Cleveland. With Joakim Noah battling sickness, Gasol will have to be in top form as he looks to control the paint.
Expect Noah to get consistently booed from the Cleveland faithful as his tough play and sometimes big mouth have led him into some battles with Lebron James. He also called the city of Cleveland “boring”.
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Chicago won the last meeting with Cleveland, but dropped 3 others to them this season.
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers looked seemingly unstoppable this season. After a start that had many fans and players questioning the team, they went out and made a couple moves. Those moves not only paid off, but Cleveland had added a bunch of depth that they lacked. Now, Kevin Love will watch from the sideline as the big 3, becomes the big 2 in the 2nd round of the NBA Playoffs.
Kevin Love was averaging 16.4 points on the season and the Cavaliers will need somebody to step up and fill those points. However, J.R. Smith cannot be that guy as he is suspended for the first 2 games.
Lebron James told the media he knew that Cleveland would be facing adversity at some point and now they’ll face it against Chicago.
Iman Shumpert is going to be the game changer for Cleveland. While he is a defensive minded player, he’ll need to step up the scoring like he did in Game 4. Shumpert scored 15 points in the clincher and will need to do something similar to that to fill in for Love’s points missed.
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At Quicken Loans Arena this season, Cleveland is 33-10 S.U.
NBA Basketball Trends:
- Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Bulls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Central.
- Cavaliers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Cavaliers are 6-16-1 ATS in their last 23 Monday games
Free 4* Pick: Chicago +4.5
The Cavaliers are going to seriously miss Love and Smith.
Chicago 100, Cleveland 97
Chicago knows they have the advantage now and can easily take a game in Cleveland.
Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.
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