Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
October 10, 2017
Date & time: Tuesday, October 10 @8:00 PM
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland)
Head to head record
Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers 99-93 (2016/2017 NBA)
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 prediction
Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to record their first pre-season win when they host Chicago Bulls at their Quicken Loans Arena. Bulls failed to impress in their last warm-up game against Pelicans and it remains to be seen if they are capable of upsetting the last season’s finalists in Cleveland.
Cavs have yet to find their best form
Cleveland Cavaliers have been struggling in pre-season, with the team suffering three consecutive losses to the likes of Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. Tyronn Lue’s men are desperate to give fans some cheer and there is every chance they will leave their hearts on the court in Tuesday’s clash against Chicago. It has to be noted, though, that Cavs will be without duo LeBron James – Isaiah Thomas in pre-season and, no doubt, they are going to be sorely missed against Bulls. In their absence a man to watch in the home team will be Jeff Green, who scored 19 points in a 102-94 loss to Washington Wizards at the weekend. Anyhow, I do not believe that there is a big value in betting on the hosts, whose key player LeBron James is unlikely to be risked in Tuesday’s warm-up game.
LeBron James is closing in on a return (left ankle), but Tuesday’s game comes too early for him. Isaiah Thomas misses the match with a hip injury, whilst Iman Shumpert remains in the recovery room (left foot).
No Butler, no party?
Chicago Bulls failed to impress in the 2016/2017 NBA campaign and they are not expected to record a good result in the upcoming season as key player Jimmy Butler moved to Minnesota Timberwolves. Nikola Mirotic, who did not play for Spain at the 2017 Eurobasket, is likely to play an important role in Fred Hoiberg’s team in the 2017/2018 season and you should know that he scored 13 points in a 108-95 loss to New Orleans at the weekend. Chicago Bulls aim to bounce back from the defeat, but they will have a big fish to fry in Tuesday’s clash against Cleveland Cavaliers, who are desperate to return to winning ways. Cavs, though, suit Bulls and it remains to be seen if Fred Hoiberg’s men are capable of recording their eighth consecutive win over Cleveland. Summer recruit Justin Holiday could pose a big threat for Cavs in Tuesday’s pre-season game as he scored 13 points, while providing three assists for his teammates in the loss to Minnesota.
Coach Fred Hoiberg can’t count on the likes of Cameron Payne (right foot), Kris Dunn (left finger), Quincy Pondexter (left harmstring0 and Zach LaVine (ACL) for the Cleveland game.
Interesting facts
- Chicago emerged triumphant in each of last seven meetings with Cavs
- Robin Lopez had 5 assists in the 108-95 loss to Timberwolves
- Cleveland recorded their last win over Chicago on February 19, 2016
- Cavs are on a three-game losing run ahead of Tuesday’s match
- Nikola Mirotic scored 28 points in a 99-93 win over Cavs in March
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls betting pick
Cleveland’s style of play obviously suit Chicago Bulls and seeing that Cavs coach Tyronn Lue can’t count on the likes of LeBron James and Isaiah Thomas for Tuesday’s showdown, I am tempted to put my money on the visitors this time out.
Pick: Chicago + 5.5
Odds: -114
