Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
March 30, 2017
Date & time: Thursday, March 30 @8:00 PM
Venue: United Center (Chicago)
Head to head record
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls 99-117 (2016/2017 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls 94-106 (2016/2017 NBA)
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers 111-105 (2016/2017 NBA)
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers 118-108 (2016/2017 NBA)
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls 79-85 (Las Vegas summer league)
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers prediction
Chicago Bulls will be looking to record their sixth consecutive win over Cleveland Cavaliers when the two teams face each other at United Center on Thursday evening. Bulls aim to build on a 109-94 triumph over Milwaukee Bucks, but beating the title holders is easier said than done.
Must-win game for Bulls
Chicago Bulls quickly bounced back from a shocking 117-107 loss to Philadelphia 76ers, with the team beating Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on Sunday. Fred Hoiberg’s troops desperately needed a win against Bucks and they managed to get one. However, despite defeating Milwaukee in their last league match, Bulls failed to regain their spot in top eight. Chicago have recorded two wins less than eight-placed Indiana Pacers, but it has to be noted that they have one game in hand. Fred Hoiberg’s men are desperate to book their place in the Eastern Conference play-offs and they face a must-win situation in Thursday’s clash against Cleveland Cavaliers. Nikola Mirotic led Bulls to the 109-94 victory over Bucks with 28 points and the Spain international is definitely capable of posing a big threat for Cavs.
Dwyane Wade is likely to miss the rest of regular season with injury (elbow), whilst Cristiano Felicio is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Coach Fred Hoiberg has no other selection worries ahead of the visit of Cleveland Cavaliers.
Top position – main goal
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats to the likes of Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers remained in top position in the Western Conference standings. Nonetheless, Boston Celtics are breathing down their neck, meaning that Thursday’s game against Chicago Bulls is of big importance for the reigning champions. Cavs suffered a heavy 117-99 loss to Bulls earlier this year, but it is well known that the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Love both missed the game with injury. The duo is fit for Thursday’s clash against Chicago and they will be the men to watch in the away team, alongside Kyrie Irving, who has been averaging 25.3 points this season. Tyronn Lue’s charges are eager to get back on course, but the game against Chicago will be anything but a walk in the park for the Western Conference leaders. Cavs failed to beat Bulls in previous five meetings between the two sides in NBA and it remains to be seen if they are capable of putting an end to the negative trend.
Kyle Korver is definitely out of contention with a foot injury, while LeBron James should recover in time to face Chicago Bulls. Iman Shumpert is likely to return after missing the San Antonio Spurs clash with a knee problem.
Interesting facts
- Chicago are eyeing their seventh straight win over Cavs in all competitions
- Bulls suffered four defeats in last six home games in NBA
- Kyrie Irving scored 34 points in the 117-99 loss to Bulls in February
- Cavs are eyeing their 20th away win of the season
- Cleveland suffered four losses in previous six games on the road
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers betting pick
The game at United Center pits together Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, the two teams with entirely different ambitions in the season finale. Bulls are eyeing a place in the NBA play-offs, whilst Cavs are determined to clinch top position in the Western Conference. Anyhow, seeing that the hosts will be without star player Dwyane Wade in Thursday’s showdown, I am tempted to put my money on the visitors.
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers -5.5
Odds: -110
