The Cleveland Cavs shocked the basketball world on Friday, firing head coach David Blatt in spite of an Eastern Conference-best 30-11 record and current two-game winning streak. However, that'll have to go in the rear view mirror and quickly as new head coach Tyronn Lue tackles his first challenge -- a reeling Chicago Bulls team (24-18) looking to reassert itself as a player in the Eastern Conference. Here's our preview and prediction for Saturday's marquee showdown in Cleveland.
Game Info:
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
TV: ABC
Spread: Cavs by 10.5
What They're Saying About The Chicago Bulls:
David Blatt's Firing Opens Up Opportunity For Bulls
Trade Targets: Should The Bulls Build Up Or Tear Down?
The Conundrum Of The Chicago Bulls
What They're Saying About The Cleveland Cavaliers:
Tyronn Lue Emerges From The Shadow Of Champions
Coaches Respond To David Blatt's Firing
Is Cleveland The Place Where Coaching Careers Go To Die
Notable Storylines:
The Chicago Bulls are dead cold right now from the field, shooting just a tick over 20% from beyond the arc while losing three of their last four. Over a brutal 2-6 stretch, the Bulls are giving up 108.8 points per game. If they can't get their house in order on both ends Saturday night, it'll be a long one for them in Cleveland. More on this story in the Chat Sports iPhone and Android apps.
No matter what happens in tonight's game, the overarching storyline for the Cavs is going to be Tyronn Lue's debut as head coach. The circumstances around David Blatt's firing have been the subject of thousands of hot takes over the past 24 hours, but Saturday is all about Lue getting off on the right foot in the first game of a multi-year deal. Can he keep LeBron accountable? Will the offense look markedly different right off the bat with him in charge? No one knows. Not yet.
Prediction: Cavs Win 109-101
With some convincing, you could change our mind on this one. We have no clue how this Cavs team is going to respond, especially with the weight of a media frenzy on their shoulders. The Bulls are mess right now, though, giving Cleveland's core of stars some leeway to test the waters on Saturday.