The Cleveland Cavaliers have pushed the Chicago Bulls to the brink of elimination, leaving Chicago fighting to save their season in Game 6. Can the Bulls do just that, or will the Cavs advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?
Projected Starting Lineups
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29)
G Kyrie Irving – 21.7 ppg, 5.2 apg
G Iman Shumpert – 8.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg
F LeBron James – 25.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 7.4 apg
F Tristan Thompson – 7.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg
C Timofey Mozgov– 10.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg
(3) Chicago Bulls (50-32)
G Derrick Rose – 17.7 ppg, 4.9 apg
G Jimmy Butler – 20.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg
F Mike Dunleavy – 9.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
F Taj Gibson – 10.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg
C Joakim Noah – 7.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.7 apg
What to watch for:
Derrick Rose's efficiency
Rose has really struggled every few games this postseason depending on how much rest he gets, and with the Bulls playing their sixth game in 10 days, many expect him to have a bad game. It looked like he was playing with tired legs in Game 5 as he shot just 7/24 from the field, and the Bulls need him to play much better than that if they want to win this game.
Kyrie Irving's production
Kyrie Irving has been severely hampered all series by left knee tendonitis and a right foot strain, forcing LeBron James to carry the load for most of the playoffs. However, Irving showed signs of life with 25 big points in Game 5 while showing now ill-effects from his injuries. Cleveland needs him to step up tonight if they're going to win tonight.
Prediction: Bulls win 94-92
Chicago's backs are against the wall as they face elimination, and that will cause them to play with extra intensity in front of their home crowd tonight. Cleveland wants to end this series badly, but they won't play as hard knowing they can still close the series in Game 7 at home this weekend. Because of that, the Bulls will win a very close game.
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