I think Shumpert is showing he can fill the void left by Kevin Love. He's played well in two consecutive games since Love's injury. Can Shumpert keep it up?

 

Chicago was on fire (pun intended) from three point range and LeBron had a bad night. But I think we all saw the stat that in two playoff series when LeBron's team lost the first game to Chicago, his teams came back to win the series.

I agree that Chicago's shooting won the game for them last night.  Gasol going 8-8 on those top of the key jumpers killed us.  We can't give him that open look. 

 

Last night was a game in which a few JR Smith 3's and his pesky defense might've propelled us into the lead.  We just couldn't get over the hump, but I loved the effort.

 

The bottom line is that Chicago is deeeeeeeep.  Mirotic and Snell barely even played.

Another stat to consider is that when Rose only has 1 day off between games, he isn't nearly as effective most of the time.  Every game from here on out is every other day.

Any word on that shoulder injury Rose suffered in the final minute of the game?  Probably just a stinger, but if there is some sprain in there, it is on his shooting arm.

^ ya just a stinger.  Rose will be back tomorrow.  But to Firenzes point.  Rose performs worse on less rest.  I think tomorrow is important for a number of reasons:

 

1.) the Cavs and LeBron have been playing better on the road.  Lebron in particular.  I think he can just play hoops when he is on the road.  For whatever reason, I feel like there is still some emotional baggage over his head when he plays at home.  He just doesn't look himself at times.

2.)  I fully expect them to be re-invigorated when Smith returns.  Im sure he will be hungry to make up for his dumb play.  Im not worried about them winning a game in Chicago.  It will happen. This isn't Orlando from 2009 where they can just run the same junk and we cant do anything about it.

3.) Once teams figure each other out in a 7 game series, the margin becomes very small and the best usually can prevail. 

 

Going back to Chicago tied 1-1 should be considered a success for both teams, I wouldn't think they can just sweep Chicago at home without two starters. 

Any word on that shoulder injury Rose suffered in the final minute of the game?  Probably just a stinger, but if there is some sprain in there, it is on his shooting arm.

 

I heard: stinger.

Any word on that shoulder injury Rose suffered in the final minute of the game?  Probably just a stinger, but if there is some sprain in there, it is on his shooting arm.

 

I never wish for a player injury, but would love to see one with D Rose right about now!  Maybe he can trip over Noah's man bun after it becomes unfurled scrambling for a loose ball.

Got our split. Now hope everyone is healthy and ok for Friday.  JR should be fresh. Hope we can get about 20 from him

Cavs looked good. Never thought Chicago was in it though I'm sure they are happy with the split.

The announcers sure to show love for this team... *sarcasm*

^^actually I'm happy with a split without two starters. Didn't think we could take 2 short handed. Just happy we get some ammo back for game 3

I am feeling much better tonight. Blatt and the team made some adjustments and the Bulls are really an talented but inconsistent team. I am feeling confident that the Cavs should win this series based on talent.

 

Webber is just horrible commentator overall. I've noticed he says dumb stuff about the other teams too. Absolutely zero insight.

Yeah but the constant berating of Cleveland's bench is uncalled for. Once or twice, fine. But every possession, stop. We get it.

I am feeling much better tonight. Blatt and the team made some adjustments and the Bulls are really an talented but inconsistent team. I am feeling confident that the Cavs should win this series based on talent.

 

Webber is just horrible commentator overall. I've noticed he says dumb stuff about the other teams too. Absolutely zero insight.

 

He wasn't very smart as a player either.  Remember the infamous "time out" in the championship game?

^Everybody remembers that play from when he was a freshman in college, but Webber was actually an extremely smart player.  Very high basketball IQ.

 

Cavs showed some grit last night.  Chicago prides itself on being physical, but a few of their key players - namely Gasol, Dunleavy, and Rose (mostly due to injury concerns for him) - get rattled and don't play well when the other team starts pushing them around.  TT really leaned on Gasol and that threw him off his game.

Rose looks so bad/slow when he moves laterally.

Pau Gasol is a prototypical soft Euro player (as opposed to his against-type brother Marc who is a tough, hard-nosed center).  Tristan fought through screens and we bumped Pau around all last night and put a hand in his face and, as a result, he only had 11 quiet points. 

 

Barkley and others believe Chicago mailed it in content with stealing Game 1 and that the Bulls will be ready tomorrow night.  We'll see.  I think the difference was LeBron-- Monday, he was tentative and not-decisive in his passing, dribbling and shooting.  He was not assertive with other teammates either in words or body language.  Last night was the OLD LEBRON... I knew from the 1st few possessions, when THE SCOWL was back, Chicago had much to be worried about.  Even though he yelled at Tristan on missing those Rose-Gasol high pick 'n rolls on Monday, he thoroughly chewed out Mozgov in the 3rd quarter last night; Blatt yanked the pout-y big man and he never returned to the lineup.  Obviously we need Timo to step up -- he's struggled a lot in the playoffs -- but more importantly when our leader is totally engaged, there are few teams that can beat us.

 

in fact, there is only 1 player in the NBA who can stop LeBron .... and that's LeBron.

I'd say a suspension is warranted...... http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/07/joakim-noah-tapspushes-fan-in-cleveland-video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I'd say a suspension is warranted...... http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/07/joakim-noah-tapspushes-fan-in-cleveland-video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

He had as many fouls as he did points last night (4) and he was pretty terrible Monday night as well.....maybe we want him to stay in?

I'd say a suspension is warranted...... http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/07/joakim-noah-tapspushes-fan-in-cleveland-video/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

The cop turned his head quickly as she walked by.  Whatever the guy said must not have seemed unusual.

^ Definitely want Noah to keep playing.  He is worthless and in a tight game, put him on the line.  Mirotic is significantly better in my opinion and I would not be excited to see him get more minutes at the 4. I don't understand (neither do analysts) why Thibs isn't playing him more

^Because Mirotic is atrocious on defense.  It would be open season in the lane if him and Gasol were on the court together.  The guy I would be more concerned with playing more is Taj Gibson.... he has always played well against us.

 

EDIT:  The road to the finals just got a bit easier.  John Wall has FIVE non-displaced fractures in his left hand and wrist.

Why is Tony Brothers still doing Cavaliers games this postseason?

Well, that answers the mirotic question

LBJ doesn't have it....again.

Ghost of Ehlo.

Complete luck.

 

They'll win game four.

LeBron's ball handling is a concern.  Just like in Monday's loss, he had a key turnover and a critical blown layup in the final minute. 

 

Kyrie was obviously hobbled, and it negatively impacted his explosiveness to the hole as well as his defense.  I don't recall Kyrie making a single layup all night.

 

Major kudos, though, to the non-stars.  Tristan (who is actually a star in his own right) was gigantic again on the boards and on D and scored some big points (but as somebody noted, when Tristan scores as much as Kyrie, you know things are out of kilter); the much-criticized Delly hit buckets and assists at critical times to keep the good ship Cavalier afloat tonight, just as he did Wednesday, when Chicago's furious run seriously cut in to our big lead; JR, what can you say?  He hit crucial 3s when we needed them, including the one that we all thought might send it into OT; once again JR had big D stops too; and Mozgov was back to looking Mozgovy tonight -- with well timed athletic alley-oops; major blocked shots plus plenty of those rim scare-aways that have become his signature.

 

... If only we'd gotten something from injured Kyrie, and LeBron was more sure of himself...Overall in this series, Butler has gotten the best of LeBron in terms of big shots and big defensive plays.  And Butler's steals of been back-breakers (like his steal in the 3rd quarter Monday turned a 51-51 tie into a Chicago 15 point run which put them in control for the rest of the game) This shouldn't be: Butler's obviously very, very good and recently recognized as the Most Improved Player ... But LeBron's the best in the game, and one of the best in history.  Let's hope the scowl and the swagger of Game 2 are back on Sunday, and LeBron wins one for the team ... and for Gloria on Mother's Day.

The Cavs are so riddled with injuries that if they survive this series it will be a miracle.

I've Kyrie is hampered tomorrow like he obviously was yesterday, we're toast.  If he's 75% normal Kyrie, we could survive.  Both of the losses were there for the taking, but we also need LeBron to protect the ball better.  He was assertive, but his sloppy passing along with those Butler poke-aways killed us.  He did a ton to get us to the brink in the 4th, but the missed layup that would have given us the lead was huge.

Didn't see Rose's shot last night. I just watched it and didn't know he banked it in. That is some 'lucky ass sh#t'. Cavs roll tomorrow...book it.

^agree. By the way, all four higher seeds Are down 2-1, this will normalize

^agree. By the way, all four higher seeds Are down 2-1, this will normalize

 

Atlanta lost on a last second shot yesterday too.  It's contagious.

^agree. By the way, all four higher seeds Are down 2-1, this will normalize

 

Atlanta lost on a last second shot yesterday too.  It's contagious.

 

After they had incidentally just tied it up on the other end with a 3-pointer. It was eerie how similar the two games were, although Atlanta was down much more than the Cavaliers were and thus for the Hawks to even be in that position was almost miraculous.

 

I've managed to avoid seeing any replays of Rose's game-winner, which is good, because it's pissing me off thinking about it.

Gasol is out, at least for this game

Take care of the ball and Cavs would be ahead. This is correctable. The Bulls are not a better team

The Bulls sure look like the better team so far.

 

Cavs don't have the same heart.

Just terrible shots. I don't recognize these guys

CAVS BABY!!! A win is a win!!

Wow...this team needs some rest. Hopefully Atlanta wins tomorrow to ensure that that series is extended.

So like I said the Cavs are gonna roll.......lol

Man, if I'm this exhausted watching this series from my couch.....I can only imagine how smashed up the players are at this point.

Man, if I'm this exhausted watching this series from my couch.....I can only imagine how smashed up the players are at this point.

 

This series is an absolute brawl. I just wonder how much they'll have left in the tank if/when they move on.

 

This is also why I was very concerned when Chicago snagged the #3 seed from Toronto on the last day of the season. We were one game away from very potentially having a second-round matchup with Milwaukee while Chicago and Atlanta (or even Washington) battled it out on the other side. Our pathway went from looking quite favorable for us to looking quite challenging.

Under no circumstances am I rooting for Atlanta. Washington would be the better opponent by far no matter how much rest. Gotta win this one though too.  In my opinion this is the eastern conference championship.  By the way, the Bulls aren't exactly healthy either. Rose got a little banged up as did Gibson and gasol.

 

I'm praying for some kyrie production next game- we can't go on like this

I heard a comment on the radio this morning that this is the Red Cross Series. Lots of wounded....

This is a brutal, exhausting series.  I don't expect it to be pretty the rest of the way either.  Our hope is that the home crowd fires up our role players and guys like Jones, Delly, Marion can just catch some fire. We are not playing the basketball we saw all year, mostly because of injuries.  Lebron loves efficiency, but there is none because everyone is hurt.  Also, great point by Ethan Skolnik, Lebron shoots best when he  has the ball passed to him off sets and he can find rhythm.  ALmost all of his shots have been off dribble, 1 on 1.  It just so hard to watch.  Lebron hit the big shot, but in my opinion, JR hit probably the three most clutch.  We were gasping for air and he stretched the bulls out

Here's a video from the huddle prior to that last shot....

 

I was thrilled about OUR SHOT yesterday and that fact we stole home court back, but we still didn't wrap this series and wrapping it still won't be easy.  Chicago has already won on our floor.  Also, if anyone had told me that Kyrie was limping to the point of ineffectiveness without Love and a hobbled Shumpert and we would still win, I'd had put that person on a breathalyzer.

 

I hope Blatt realizes that our slim path to victory in this series calls for the Thompson-Mozgov pairing, esp when Rose and Butler are on the floor.  It was these guys who presented the rim fortress that disrupted Chicago's offense to no end -- I believe we forced them into 5 24-second vios with T-M on the floor, and clearly it was this frontcourt that shutdown the Bulls and allowed us to overcome the late 3rd quarter 11-point lead and take command into the final minutes (until LeBron started jacking 3s and turning the ball over to make it close at the end)... If we take care of business tomorrow, then I'll breathe easier because then we'll have 2 games to win 1 with the final game at the Q, but until then ...

 

Kendrick and his lady got the cops called on them in Westlake this morning.

 

I first heard he was involved in an incident and wondered if Gibson was out there for some reason.

http://www.sbnation.com/2015/5/13/8599251/kendrick-perkins-cleveland-cavaliers-police-dispute