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Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - GAME DAY PREVIEW
The Chicago Bulls (27-31) try to wash the taste of their bitter defeat to the Detroit Pistons from their mouth when they battle the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-19) in a Central Division clash.
The Bulls are reeling after the Pistons went to the United Center and left with a 105-95 victory. What many thought would be a surefire win became a sorry loss for a Chicago squad trying to get back to the .500 mark and improve their chances of moving up in the Eastern Conference standings.
Do the Bulls have the energy?
Energy and resolve will be key for the Bulls on Wednesday as they play the second game of a back-to-back set. While morale will surely be an issue after the disappointing loss to Detroit, Chicago must find a way to dig deep and bring their A-game against a tough Cavs team.
Not only will fatigue be a factor for the Bulls, but they will also have to contend with an injury-plagued roster. While Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams are already out for the season, Torrey Craig doesn’t have a date for a return after suffering a sprained knee over the All-Star break.
Additionally, defensive ace Alex Caruso suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of their game against Detroit, which forced coach Billy Donovan to sub him out for good with two minutes left in the game.
Cleveland on a high
In contrast, the Cavs will head to the game on a high after they beat the Dallas Mavericks, 121-119, thanks to an unreal buzzer-beating three-pointer by former Bull Max Strus. Down, 119-118 with no timeouts remaining, Strus got the ball back from Evan Mobley and heaved a shot before the halfcourt line that found nothing but the bottom of the net, giving Cleveland the wild win.
