2015 Playoffs: (2) Cleveland vs. (3) Chicago

[Lamrock]

Well, you guys had 18 hours, so I guess I'll do the honors! Coming off a 54 point closeout win, finally having their franchise PG healthy and facing a team missing its third best player, there's a lot of reason for Bulls fans to be optimistic about their chances against the Cavaliers. However, there's just one problem: LeBron James. LeBron has knocked the Bulls out of the playoffs three of the last five seasons and with Kyrie and Mozgov in tow, he still has an excellent team behind him. Losing Love sucks, and makes Golden State the sole favorite to win the title, but it shouldn't fundamentally change the Cavs' approach.

I got Cleveland in 6. This should be a very competitive series, but I don't believe the Bulls are up to the task.

[NovU]

Bulls will rape the Cavs. Bulls in easy 6.

[Murat]

I don't know what will happen in this series, but Rose vs. James will be exciting!

[iamSamke]

I think Bulls will win. Cleveland are missing K. Love, too bad for Cavs Nation

[Andrew]

Kevin Love's injury and J.R. Smith's suspensions do present fortuitous opportunities for the Bulls, but unless it's a team like the Warriors, Spurs, Hawks, or perhaps even the Clippers, I'm still inclined to pick the team with LeBron James on it. That's obviously the Cavaliers, and while I think the Bulls will put up a respectable fight, Cavs in six seems to be the likely outcome.

[Kevin]

LeBron in 6 with him averaging 50 ppg because fuck Noah

[[Q]]

I don't know what will happen in this series, but Butler vs. James will be exciting!

Fixed.

[benji]

Cavs actually have the advantage in depth here despite the team having been battered. And they can play Chicago multiple ways. Which Chicago won't do more than they can't do.

If Love was healthy I would consider a sweep since they had finally figured out how to use him properly and Boston threw a near perfect series at them.

Bulls should easily get two games though. When Rose has his two good games probably.

[Moz]

Expect the best of both coaches on this one since it will decide their fate for next season... 2 games headstart for the Bulls and I reckon their bench is the key if they want to win this series... Mirotic should be like his 2nd half of the season self and Snell be like when he's a starter unfortunately, expect Brooks to be benched a lot AGAIN in this series with the same reason from the prior one (unless Irving goes down)... If Love's absence somewhat create confusions on their offense and If Rose and/or all of the Bulls' bigs will be healthy all through out, I can confidently say that they got a shot at this in 6 games...

[JaoSming]

Cavs in 7, because loveless

[air gordon]

Cavs in 7. Bulls go from facing a defensive stall worth to facing 2 elite scorers.

Bulls have been inconsistent all year due to a variety of reasons. There's a chance they can put it together for 4 games but I wouldn't put any money on it

Rose has a history of bringing his A game against Irving. Can he do it and still stay in control unlike in most of the bucks series??

Curious to see what Thibs does with Gibson and Niko's roles. I hope the refs let them play....

[NovU]

What's wid Bulls fans predicting Cavs win? Where have you left your faith at, this is the Cavs without Love and Varejao. Add JR's suspension, you guys got this. Book it.

[Andrew]

Nice try, but only I can influence the outcome of a series like that.

[NovU]

I honestly think this Cavs team is shittier than LBJ's Heat w/o Bosh. What you guys think?

[Andrew]

Arguably, but they're still good enough to defeat the Bulls four times out of seven.

[NovU]

I just think the Bulls are in the best shape ever since the beginning of Rose's injury while LBJ has become less with lessor teammates. In fact, I think the Bulls will make the Finals from East partly because East sucks, QMIJ

[benji]

I honestly think this Cavs team is shittier than LBJ's Heat w/o Bosh.

Which Heat?

[NovU]

You know, the one that struggled in Pacers series.

[Mandich]

It would be fun to see Chicago upset Cleveland.

Realisticaly, that's not going to happen.

[Brave Sir Rubin]

Bulls in 6. They're looking scary and history has shown that Lebron can't do it alone.

[air gordon]

I can stand up and beat my chest proclaiming they will win. I can vote on a poll too. Doesn't make a difference. I think they will compete but outside a few small stretches they haven't shown enough to beat a good team in a best of 7

I could be wrong as usual. Maybe Noah can punish whoever Cleveland puts on him. Rose will play smart basketball. Bench production, etc

[Alpha_]

Bulls in 4

[Andrew]

Nice win for the Bulls to open the series - liked the two man game with Rose and Gasol, Rose was making some good passes once his shot stopped falling - but yeah, I remember the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals. They need to head back to Chicago up 2-0 to really have a chance. They weathered going cold in Game 1, but a returning J.R. Smith is going to make that difficult in Game 3 and beyond. Shumpert almost made them pay in this one.

[air gordon]

Hell yeah

[NovU]

Cavs actually have the advantage in depth here despite the team having been battered. And they can play Chicago multiple ways. Which Chicago won't do more than they can't do.

If Love was healthy I would consider a sweep since they had finally figured out how to use him properly and Boston threw a near perfect series at them.

Bulls should easily get two games though. When Rose has his two good games probably.

What's that again?