Click “Next” at the bottom of this page for all of today’s top plays and highlights!
The Cavs went with a bigger lineup to start the game, going with both Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov, and starting Iman Shumpert and Kyrie Irving as the guards. The Cavs got off to a rough start, going down 8-0 in the first quarter. Unfortunately Mozgov picked up 2 quick fouls, which brought in JR Smith. The Cavs bounced back, out scoring the Bulls 25-16 to end the first up by 1.
The Cavs kept rolling in the second quarter as LeBron could NOT miss. The king ended with 24 first half points on 10/12 shooting. Shumpert also stepped up and hit some clutch shots, finishing with 11 first half points. Pair that with 10 from Kyrie and the Cavs went into halftime up 54-44.
The third quarter was a bit closer, as Kirk Heinrich made the Bulls first 3 pointer after going 0-10. Some poor shoot selection brought the shooting percentage down but the Cavs still ended up shooting 52% while holding the Bulls to just 38% through 3.
The Cavs wouldn’t let off the gas in the fourth, going up by as much as 17 but never losing the lead. A big turn for Chicago came with 10:25 left when Taj Gibson got ejected for kicking Delly while on the ground. The Bulls a huge run of 24-9 to cut the 17 point Cavalier lead to 99-101. but solid Cavalier defense shut down Chicago and free throws iced the game.
LeBron James finished the game with 38 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists with no turnovers. That’s the first time this season he’s had a game with a zero in the turnover department. Kyrie Irving scored 25 points on 9-16 shooting.
The Takeaways:
The Cavs played some phenomenal D. With Pau Gasol out, the Cavs started a big lineup and eliminated a lot of open shots, leaving the Bulls with a 40 shooting percentage and only shooting 28% from 3. Compare that to the Cavs 51% shooting and it’s no wonder the Cavs won by 5.
On the offensive end, the Cavs wee even better. Everyone stepped up when needed, with 5 Cavs scoring in double digits. LeBron led the way with 38 points and snagged a double double with Tristan Thompson. LeBron also tied Michael Jordan for most playoff games (51) with 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Another big tip of the cap goes to the Cavs limiting their turnovers to just 11. Unfortunately, the Cavs also fouled a lot and the Bulls capitalized, getting to the line 28 times and knocking down 26 free throws (93%).
Most importantly, the Cavs came away with the win and got some much needed motivation heading back to Chicago for game 6 on Thursday.
Click “Next” below for all of today’s top plays and highlights!
LeBron James picks off the Derrick Rose pass and dunks it all by himself on the other end.
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Kyrie Irving dribbles the length of the court, around Derrick Rose, and finishes the impossible reverse layup.
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LeBron James catches the pass from Matthew Dellavedova, drives to the basket, and reverses it home. the play looked like something out of the book of Kyrie Irving
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LeBron James drives by Jimmy Butler, gets hit my Nikola Mirotic, hangs and hits for the and-1 opportunity.
