Chicago Bulls Storm Cleveland and the Cavaliers

Written by Freddy Miranda

Thursday, 09 November 2006

Chicago Bulls Storm Cleveland and the Cavaliers Thursday night puts us in Cleveland, Ohio, where the revamped Chicago Bulls bring the challenge on to their Central Division rival,the Cleveland Cavaliers. Many have predicted that the Bulls will be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season. However, the Cavaliers aren't convinced that Chicago is a better team than they are. The Cavaliers swept the Bulls, 4-0 last year. Forward LeBron James scored 32 or more in all four games and averaged 34.8, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists to lead Cleveland (2-2) to a four-game sweep of Chicago (2-2) last season.

The Bulls rotated a variety of defenders such as Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni, but nothing seemed to work against James. The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar could face a greater challenge against them on Thursday, facing the Bulls for the first time since they acquired Ben Wallace into the rotation.

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The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year - should help cut down on James' penetration to the basket. They have also added P.J. Brown and rookie Tyrus Thomas to further strengthen their defense. Thomas did not play on Monday night due to a broken nose suffered on opening night.

Everything looked good once again for the Chicago Bulls when they beat Milwaukee 110-85 on Monday at the United Center. The Bulls started running early and disposed of the Bucks at home, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Bulls piled up a 24-8 edge in fast-break points and never let Milwaukee within single digits in the second half.

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Guard Ben Gordon scored 37 points and added a career-high nine assists. Forward Andres Nocioni pitched in 17 points, while forward P.J. Brown had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Center Ben Wallace piled up 10 rebounds, five blocks and three steals, in addition to holding Bucks center Andrew Bogut to just six points.

For the Cavaliers a different toll rang. Guard Larry Hughes didn't think Atlanta Hawks point guard Tyronn Lue was the difference in the game. In spite of that Lue buried a high-floating shot over the outstretched hands of LeBron James to send the game into overtime. LeBron had just split on free throws and set up the jump shot of a rebound. Minutes later, the Hawks put the Cavaliers out of their misery in the extra period, 104-95, before a sold-out crowd at Quicken Loans Arena.

Lue, scored 17 of his 19 points after halftime. The young guard was forced into full-time duty when starter Speedy Claxton went to the sidelines with soreness in his knee.He promptly buried a three-pointer in the extra period and the first-place Hawks (3-1) never trailed thereafter.The Cav’s killer outscored the Cleveland bench by himself, 19-15. He added a game-high 11 assists and three rebounds. Forward LeBron James led all scorers with 34 points.

The Cavaliers are the favorite with a -4 spread. We think the home team can cover. As for the total of 183½ points, well that’s hard this could be a very defensive game. A mental edge needs to be established between these rivals. Bet Under.