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CLEVELAND
CHICAGO |
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194
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Final
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| Eastern Conference - Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 4 - CHI Leads 2-1 | | |  | |
| 725 | CLEVELAND | -1.5 | -2.5 | | 726 | CHICAGO | 194.5 | 194 |
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| All Games | 58-31 | -8.7 | 43-46 | 37-51 | 103.0 | 53.3 | 45.6% | 52.1 | 98.4 | 49.7 | 45.3% | 49.2 | | Road Games | 24-20 | -3.1 | 20-24 | 19-24 | 102.6 | 51.7 | 44.6% | 51.5 | 100.9 | 51.9 | 46.8% | 50.2 | | Last 5 Games | 3-2 | 0 | 3-2 | 2-3 | 99.6 | 54.0 | 42.2% | 52.4 | 95.4 | 45.0 | 42.1% | 55.8 | | Playoff Games | 5-2 | +2 | 4-3 | 3-4 | 101.4 | 54.7 | 42.9% | 53.7 | 95.4 | 47.0 | 42.2% | 51.7 | | Division Games | 12-7 | +0.7 | 7-12 | 10-9 | 99.9 | 51.2 | 43.6% | 53.0 | 98.1 | 47.9 | 44.4% | 52.0 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 103.0 | 53.3 | 37-82 | 45.6% | 10-28 | 36.5% | 18-24 | 75.5% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 13 | 4 | | vs opponents surrendering | 99.8 | 49.8 | 37-84 | 44.7% | 8-22 | 34.9% | 17-23 | 75.0% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Road Games) | 102.6 | 51.7 | 37-83 | 44.6% | 10-29 | 34.5% | 19-25 | 75.6% | 51 | 11 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 13 | 4 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 98.4 | 49.7 | 38-83 | 45.3% | 8-22 | 34.0% | 15-20 | 74.8% | 49 | 11 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 5 | | vs opponents averaging | 99.5 | 49.5 | 37-84 | 44.7% | 8-22 | 34.7% | 17-23 | 75.1% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 100.9 | 51.9 | 39-83 | 46.8% | 7-22 | 32.8% | 16-21 | 74.4% | 50 | 11 | 24 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 5 |
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| All Games | 56-35 | -16 | 45-46 | 45-44 | 100.6 | 49.1 | 44.1% | 55.1 | 97.2 | 48.8 | 43.2% | 51.3 | | Home Games | 30-15 | -19.3 | 22-23 | 27-18 | 101.3 | 49.2 | 43.5% | 56.0 | 97.0 | 48.0 | 43.5% | 50.9 | | Last 5 Games | 3-2 | -0.9 | 3-2 | 2-3 | 99.4 | 51.0 | 42.7% | 56.8 | 90.8 | 48.4 | 40.3% | 50.0 | | Playoff Games | 6-3 | +0.4 | 6-3 | 4-5 | 99.3 | 50.3 | 43.3% | 59.2 | 91.7 | 48.2 | 39.7% | 51.3 | | Division Games | 14-11 | -6.7 | 13-12 | 10-15 | 96.5 | 49.4 | 42.0% | 56.9 | 93.4 | 46.2 | 41.5% | 52.4 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 100.6 | 49.1 | 37-83 | 44.1% | 8-23 | 35.8% | 19-25 | 77.9% | 55 | 12 | 22 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 6 | | vs opponents surrendering | 99.7 | 49.9 | 37-83 | 44.8% | 8-23 | 35.0% | 17-23 | 74.9% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Home Games) | 101.3 | 49.2 | 37-85 | 43.5% | 8-22 | 34.3% | 20-25 | 78.4% | 56 | 13 | 23 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 7 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 97.2 | 48.8 | 37-87 | 43.2% | 7-20 | 33.6% | 16-21 | 74.9% | 51 | 12 | 20 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 5 | | vs opponents averaging | 99.4 | 49.8 | 37-83 | 44.8% | 8-22 | 35.0% | 17-23 | 74.8% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 97.0 | 48.0 | 37-86 | 43.5% | 7-20 | 33.7% | 16-21 | 75.4% | 51 | 11 | 20 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 6 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: CLEVELAND 95, CHICAGO 94.7 |
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| 4/2/2015 | MIAMI | 114-88 | W | -10.5 | W | 195 | O | 40-80 | 50.0% | 52 | 14 | 32-75 | 42.7% | 41 | 16 | | 4/5/2015 | CHICAGO | 99-94 | W | -8 | L | 194.5 | U | 35-83 | 42.2% | 50 | 10 | 34-76 | 44.7% | 55 | 16 | | 4/8/2015 | @ MILWAUKEE | 104-99 | W | -6 | L | 198.5 | O | 36-74 | 48.6% | 51 | 18 | 42-84 | 50.0% | 38 | 12 | | 4/10/2015 | BOSTON | 90-99 | L | -6 | L | 208 | U | 32-77 | 41.6% | 51 | 20 | 38-84 | 45.2% | 54 | 14 | | 4/12/2015 | @ BOSTON | 78-117 | L | 10.5 | L | 197.5 | U | 31-79 | 39.2% | 54 | 24 | 46-84 | 54.8% | 45 | 7 | | 4/13/2015 | DETROIT | 109-97 | W | -8 | W | 205 | O | 43-85 | 50.6% | 57 | 10 | 38-83 | 45.8% | 44 | 7 | | 4/15/2015 | WASHINGTON | 113-108 | W | -8 | L | 190.5 | O | 43-91 | 47.3% | 54 | 16 | 42-97 | 43.3% | 60 | 13 | | 4/19/2015 | BOSTON | 113-100 | W | -12 | W | 204 | O | 37-82 | 45.1% | 57 | 12 | 37-79 | 46.8% | 41 | 14 | | 4/21/2015 | BOSTON | 99-91 | W | -11 | L | 205.5 | U | 34-76 | 44.7% | 57 | 18 | 33-85 | 38.8% | 42 | 11 | | 4/23/2015 | @ BOSTON | 103-95 | W | -6.5 | W | 204.5 | U | 38-84 | 45.2% | 54 | 11 | 36-82 | 43.9% | 50 | 15 | | 4/26/2015 | @ BOSTON | 101-93 | W | -6.5 | W | 201.5 | U | 31-78 | 39.7% | 59 | 8 | 33-85 | 38.8% | 64 | 14 | | 5/4/2015 | CHICAGO | 92-99 | L | -4.5 | L | 195 | U | 34-81 | 42.0% | 45 | 9 | 40-80 | 50.0% | 51 | 10 | | 5/6/2015 | CHICAGO | 106-91 | W | -5.5 | W | 194.5 | O | 37-83 | 44.6% | 59 | 8 | 32-79 | 40.5% | 48 | 12 | | 5/8/2015 | @ CHICAGO | 96-99 | L | 2.5 | L | 194.5 | O | 32-82 | 39.0% | 45 | 11 | 34-90 | 37.8% | 66 | 7 | | 5/10/2015 | @ CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/12/2015 | CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 4/1/2015 | @ MILWAUKEE | 91-95 | L | -5 | L | 192 | U | 31-74 | 41.9% | 57 | 20 | 37-89 | 41.6% | 56 | 18 | | 4/3/2015 | DETROIT | 88-82 | W | -9.5 | L | 197 | U | 33-85 | 38.8% | 54 | 10 | 32-74 | 43.2% | 46 | 18 | | 4/5/2015 | @ CLEVELAND | 94-99 | L | 8 | W | 194.5 | U | 34-76 | 44.7% | 55 | 16 | 35-83 | 42.2% | 50 | 10 | | 4/8/2015 | @ ORLANDO | 103-105 | L | -7 | L | 190.5 | O | 34-79 | 43.0% | 49 | 15 | 38-82 | 46.3% | 51 | 15 | | 4/9/2015 | @ MIAMI | 89-78 | W | 2 | W | 192.5 | U | 35-91 | 38.5% | 63 | 11 | 34-88 | 38.6% | 53 | 14 | | 4/11/2015 | PHILADELPHIA | 114-107 | W | -15.5 | L | 195 | O | 40-90 | 44.4% | 62 | 10 | 37-89 | 41.6% | 56 | 15 | | 4/13/2015 | @ BROOKLYN | 113-86 | W | -2 | W | 199 | P | 44-88 | 50.0% | 57 | 7 | 32-87 | 36.8% | 49 | 10 | | 4/15/2015 | ATLANTA | 91-85 | W | -5 | W | 197.5 | U | 31-77 | 40.3% | 59 | 21 | 36-92 | 39.1% | 49 | 15 | | 4/18/2015 | MILWAUKEE | 103-91 | W | -8 | W | 186 | O | 38-83 | 45.8% | 64 | 19 | 35-89 | 39.3% | 51 | 13 | | 4/20/2015 | MILWAUKEE | 91-82 | W | -8 | W | 190 | U | 31-81 | 38.3% | 71 | 13 | 32-90 | 35.6% | 50 | 4 | | 4/23/2015 | @ MILWAUKEE | 113-106 | W | -2.5 | W | 187.5 | O | 40-89 | 44.9% | 60 | 16 | 43-102 | 42.2% | 64 | 12 | | 4/25/2015 | @ MILWAUKEE | 90-92 | L | -3.5 | L | 189.5 | U | 33-68 | 48.5% | 54 | 26 | 34-87 | 39.1% | 47 | 13 | | 4/27/2015 | MILWAUKEE | 88-94 | L | -8 | L | 189.5 | U | 31-90 | 34.4% | 60 | 12 | 36-85 | 42.4% | 55 | 17 | | 4/30/2015 | @ MILWAUKEE | 120-66 | W | -4 | W | 189 | U | 46-90 | 51.1% | 59 | 12 | 25-76 | 32.9% | 46 | 18 | | 5/4/2015 | @ CLEVELAND | 99-92 | W | 4.5 | W | 195 | U | 40-80 | 50.0% | 51 | 10 | 34-81 | 42.0% | 45 | 9 | | 5/6/2015 | @ CLEVELAND | 91-106 | L | 5.5 | L | 194.5 | O | 32-79 | 40.5% | 48 | 12 | 37-83 | 44.6% | 59 | 8 | | 5/8/2015 | CLEVELAND | 99-96 | W | -2.5 | W | 194.5 | O | 34-90 | 37.8% | 66 | 7 | 32-82 | 39.0% | 45 | 11 | | 5/10/2015 | CLEVELAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/12/2015 | @ CLEVELAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | CLEVELAND: GUARDS: KYRIE IRVING will play off the ball more. With defenses keying on LeBron James, Irving should become a more efficient scorer . . . DION WAITERS will start for the Cavaliers at shooting guard. He shows flashes of brilliance on offense, but like Irving, doesn't play defense . . . MIKE MILLER reunites with James as a part-time floor spacer . . . JOE HARRIS' deep shooting makes him a possible long-term replacement for Miller. FORWARDS: LeBRON JAMES is the MVP favorite. He'll fill up the stat sheet while having these Cavaliers in a position to win every single night . . . KEVIN LOVE is one of the game's premier power forwards. He should have plenty of open looks this season, as he plays off of James. He'll also rack up rebounds . . . TRISTAN THOMPSON's switch from shooting left-handed to righty last season went well. He's a solid two-way player who should see time at center as well . . . SHAWN MARION will be a swiss-army knife off the bench for the Cavs. He can do a little bit of everything and will allow James to get a little rest this season. . . JAMES JONES followed James to Cleveland. He'll see minutes in a handful of games as a three-point specialist. CENTERS: ANDERSON VAREJAO stayed relatively healthy last season, and the Cavs will need him considering their thin rotation up front. He never developed much of an offensive game, but his energy, defense and rebounding fit well alongside Thompson and James. Because of this important information, no power rating or computer score edges are posted for this game. |  | CHICAGO: GUARDS: There's no medical reason why DERRICK ROSE can't be 100 percent healthy this year. But, as we saw in abbreviated action last season, his confidence may never come back . . . JIMMY BUTLER will still play major minutes this year, though Chicago's added depth on the wing means he's no longer a candidate to lead the league in playing time . . . KIRK HINRICH will return to a straight back-up role. His defense guarantees him minutes at both guard spots in a reserve role . . . TONY SNELL was inconsistent as a rookie, but has the defensive skill set to play solid minutes . . . AARON BROOKS gives the Bulls a more offense-heavy option to lead the second unit. He has his work cut out for him to claim the role D.J. Augustin held last season. FORWARDS: Despite the rough end to his Lakers career, PAU GASOL still has something left in the tank. He will see fewer minutes in a deep Bulls frontcourt, but he's a great fit on the offensive end . . . It seems like only a matter of time before MIKE DUNLEAVY relinquishes his starting spot. The Bulls now have plenty of shooters on this roster . . . TAJ GIBSON will reprise his sixth-man role. He'll be one of the league's top reserves; talent-wise he's a borderline All-Star . . . Rookie DOUG McDERMOTT will supplant Dunleavy once he grasps head coach Tom Thibodeau's defensive concepts. McDermott is an elite shooter who can get by defensively . . . NIKOLA MIROTIC might have some growing pains, but the Euro star can play the 3 or stretch-4 and has a very good offensive game. CENTERS: JOAKIM NOAH is an elite center, as he's outstanding defensively and has developed into one of the best passing big men in the NBA. The Bulls will do what they can to keep him fresh for the postseason, a luxury they have with Gasol and Mirotic adding depth to the frontcourt rotation. NAZR MOHAMMED is back as a big body with the ability to consistently keep the bench warm. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW (CLEVELAND-CHICAGO) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Cavaliers-Bulls Preview* =========================
By JACK CASSIDY STATS Writer
Cleveland At Chicago, Game Four, 3:30 p.m. EDT
During their numerous playoff meetings in recent seasons, LeBron James has rarely been slowed by the Chicago Bulls.
Then again, he's rarely had to deal with both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler.
With injuries to key players on both sides, those three figure to again be at the forefront Sunday when the Cleveland Cavaliers look to even this Eastern Conference semifinal series in a crucial Game 4 at Chicago's United Center.
Following a series-opening home loss that left James to acknowledge his lack of aggressive play, the four-time MVP quickly put Wednesday's Game 2 out of reach with 22 first-half points en route to a 106-91 victory.
Rose and Butler responded in Game 3. After totaling 45 points in the opener, they combined for 50 and scored 23 of Chicago's 25 in the fourth quarter Friday. Rose sealed the deal by banking in a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 99-96 win and 2-1 lead.
Rose, who missed 22 playoff games due to injuries prior to this season, is averaging 20.3 points in this postseason.
"That's his greatness," coach Tom Thibodeau told the team's official website. "There are not many like him. As a matter of fact, there are not any that combine the speed, the quickness, the power and he is shaking the rust off."
Rose's heroics mark only the latest chapter in the postseason rivalry between Chicago and James, which has leaned heavily in the latter's favor.
In the final season of his career-opening stint in Cleveland, James and the Cavs dispatched the Bulls in 2010 before he moved on to Miami, where he helped oust their 62-win squad in 2011 and eliminate the Rose-less Bulls in 2013 - each lasting five games.
James will have to go at least six to win this series due in large part to the play of Butler. This season's winner of the Most Improved Player Award is averaging 23.0 points in the postseason and has 10 steals and only three turnovers in this series.
"We've been seeing LeBron over and over, over the years," Taj Gibson said. "Every year we kept getting better and better, now you see Jimmy stepping up taking those shots he wouldn't take last year; that's big. Jimmy has grown so much, he's taking the big time shots Derrick doesn't want to take. I'm extremely happy for him."
While Butler's contributions are a relatively new feature to the rivalry, a longtime fixture has been the head-to-head clash between James and Joakim Noah, which culminated in a double-technical Friday and trash-talking that James called "very disrespectful."
"I'm OK with competing against Jo," James said. "I love the competitive nature, but we should leave it there. The disrespectful words that he said to me were uncalled for."
Injuries will also play a major role in Game 4. Bulls center Pau Gasol is day to day with a strained hamstring, and Cavaliers coach David Blatt revealed Friday that Kyrie Irving, who scored a postseason-low 11 points Saturday and failed to record an assist for just the third time in his career, has been dealing with a foot injury.
Both players led their respective teams in total playing time this season.
Gibson and Nikola Mirotic picked up the slack Friday for Gasol, who matched a season low with four rebounds. The two reserves combined for 21 points and hauled in 17 boards to help Chicago outrebound the Cavaliers 54-39.
Cleveland does not enjoy the same depth and will rely on Irving for an improved performance regardless of injury status - a challenge the All-Star point guard accepts.
"There are no excuses," Irving said. "I'm not going to hang my head down on having a bad foot. I'm going to continue to have that attitude and that mindset to go out there to compete for my brothers."
Cleveland last overcame a 2-1 series deficit in the 2007 East finals, while Chicago hasn't squandered a 2-1 lead since the first round in 2005.
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| | Last Updated: 5/7/2024 1:43:10 AM EST. |
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