Cavs. vs. Bulls Matchup
The NBA playoff picture is almost set with 15 of the 16 teams in. The Chicago Bulls are fighting for the last spot as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night. Here’s the preview from BroburySports.com.
The spread will be out shortly at BroburySports. TNT will broadcast at 8 pm ET, right before the L.A. Lakers (+2) at Denver.
Chicago (37-40, 39-36-2 ATS) is just a half-game behind Toronto for the final East playoff spot. The Raptors lost at home to Boston last night.
The Bulls blew a great opportunity on Tuesday, a 79-74 home loss to Milwaukee as 5 ½-point ‘chalk.’ Milwaukee should have been devastated after recently losing center Andrew Bogut for the season, but ex-Bull John Salmon got his revenge with 26 points.
Chicago is 6-3 SU and ATS in its last nine games. That coincides with the return of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah from injury. Luol Deng also missed some time, but now all three are back.
Still, there’s no excuse for losing home games like Milwaukee, and now they must rebound against Cleveland.
Cleveland (61-17 SU, 37-40-1 ATS) doesn’t have much to play for. They have sewn up home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Cavs’ last game was Tuesday night against Toronto, a 113-101 home win and ‘cover.’ Cleveland is still just 1-5 ATS in its last six games.
The big question tonight is how much will the Cleveland starters play? LeBron James has logged big minutes all year and this is the perfect time to rest him. None of the other Cavs’ starters are overly taxed, although Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison could see some more bench time too.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao are two quality big men off the bench, even with Shaquille O’Neal out with his thumb injury. O’Neal will hopefully return before the playoffs.
Delonte West (back) is questionable as well, which does make them a little thinner in the backcourt.
Cleveland is 0-1 ATS in Chicago this year and 1-4 ATS in the last five.
However, this game will not be handed to the Bulls. They’ll have to earn the ‘W’ and a potential playoff spot.
Bet on the Cavs and Bulls at BroburySports.com.
Posted: 4/8/10 10:41PM ET