The Cleveland Cavaliers took the heart of the the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 as a LeBron James buzzer-beater evened this hard-fought series after four games. Here are the three things we learned from that game:
3) It's LeBron James or bust for Cleveland
Kevin Love is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a separated shoulder while Kyrie Irving has been severely hampered by left knee tendonitis and a right foot strain, meaning almost all of the load has been placed on LeBron James' back. He seems content to take on a majority of shots (he took 30 in Game 4 - no one else took more than 10), but he needs to show he can continuously do enough to carry the Cavs into the conference finals.
2) Gasol's injury could be devastating to Chicago
Pau Gasol had a career year for the Bulls (18.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg), but a hamstring injury kept him out of Game 4. As a result, Chicago didn't have any punch down low and became a perimeter-oriented team as Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler were the only players that scored in double-figures. That makes the Bulls much easier to guard, and the Cavs took advantage by holding Chicago to just 36 percent shooting from the floor as a team. If Gasol is forced to miss Game 5, another big man will have to step up for the Bulls if they want to win.
1) One possession may decide this series
Just how close has this series been? The past two games have ended in buzzer-beaters that have won a game for each team, leaving both teams feeling like they should've won each of the past two contests. We probably won't see endings like this for the remainder of the series, but the close games aren't likely to stop.
Back to the Cleveland Cavaliers Newsfeed