|
 The Cavaliers controlled Game 2 after succumbing in the opener as
LeBron James rebounded from a subpar performance to record 33 points
and eight rebounds in a 106-91 victory. “There wasn’t one possession
where he wasn’t dominant,” point guard Kyrie Irving told reporters.
“When he has that mindset, he’s the greatest player playing our game
right now.” Chicago trailed by 20 points after the opening quarter
in Game 2 and was never really in the contest as guards Jimmy Butler
(5-of-14) -- named the league's Most Improved Player on Thursday --
and Derrick Rose (6-of-20) both had poor shooting efforts. Bulls
coach Tom Thibodeau said the defense and rebounding will need to be
better in Game 3 in addition to the shooting.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: Smith returns just as the status of guard Iman
Shumpert becomes uncertain after he suffered a groin injury in Game
2. Shumpert is averaging 18.5 points and made eight 3-pointers in
the first two games of the series and insisted afterward that he
would play but coach David Blatt told reporters the determination
will be made on game day. “Time for one of those miracle 48-hour
recoveries, that’s what we’re hoping for,” Blatt told reporters.
“He’s obviously a very, very important player for us.”
ABOUT THE BULLS: Rose is shooting 37 percent in the series but more
disturbing is that he hasn’t shot a single three throw over the past
three games. “I can’t think about that,” Rose told reporters. “I
don’t even want to talk about that. But I’m playing and if they’re
not calling it, they’re just not calling it.” Power forward Pau
Gasol will be seeking a bounce-back game after having just 11 points
and four rebounds in Game 2 after producing 21 points, 10 rebounds
and four blocked shots in Game 1.
[to top of second column] |
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers SF James Jones made five 3-pointers and scored 17
points in Game 2 after missing all 10 of his field-goal attempts
over the previous four games.
2. Chicago PG Aaron Brooks was 1-of-8 shooting in Game 2 and is
9-for-30 over the last six contests.
3. PF Tristan Thompson started Game 2 and collected 12 rebounds as
Cleveland searches to make up for the loss of PF Kevin Love
(season-ending shoulder injury).
PREDICTION: Bulls 96, Cavaliers 91
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
