Cavs Vs Bulls: 5 Standout Stats From Game 6

Moments after the Cavs Vs Bulls Game 6 ended, LeBron James was interviewed by ESPN’s Lisa Salters who asked him to assess what happened to the Chicago Bulls who never made a run unlike in Games 4 and 5. The King’s reply was not about what was wrong with the Bulls but about what was right with his team—defense. Anyone who’s been following this series can attest to the improved defense that the Cavs are playing compared to the beginning of the season and this has been the difference-maker in this year’s playoffs.

Defense was the calling card of his Miami Heat teams from 2011-2014 and now it is James’ current Cleveland Cavaliers team’s also. As a result, LeBron is now on his way to his 5^th straight Conference Finals appearance, the most of any player since Chauncey Billups led his Detroit teams there for seven straight years (2003-2009).

Before we think about Cleveland’s next opponent, let’s see how the blowout game went their way in the Cavs Vs Bulls Game 6.

1. LeBron James: 15 Points, 9 Rebounds, 11 Assists, 2 Blocks

Yes it was another long night from the field as James shot only 7-23 from the field and 0-4 from three but he still put himself in prestigious company by the time the game was over.

…LeBron became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1991 to average 25+points, 10+rebounds, and 8+assists in a series with averages of 26.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists…

According to ESPN’s Elias Says, LeBron became the first player since Magic Johnson in 1991 to average 25+points, 10+rebounds, and 8+assists in a series with averages of 26.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in six games against the Bulls. In a game where he performed below his usual standards because of poor shooting, James again came thisclose to a triple-double and he played stellar defense (highlighted by his block on Joakim Noah) all throughout the game despite having 0 steals to his name.

2. Matthew Dellavedova: 19 Points, 7-11 FGs, 3-6 3PT FGs

Dellavedova led the team in scoring for just the second time in his career as he took the fight out of the Bulls with killer threes and feisty defense.

His 19 points is a career high for the playoffs and, as a reporter pointed out to him during the postgame interviews, he would have had 30 if he had played LeBron’s minutes. Matty, as Jeff Van Gundy christened him in this series, had a +/- of +21 while LeBron only had a +20. Still, no chance of Delly getting James’ minutes.

3. Tristan Thompson: 13 Points, 17 Rebounds, 2 Blocks, 5-5 FTs

Thompson completely demoralized the entire Bulls frontline in this game with his unrelenting hustle, grabbing every board imaginable on his way to 6 offensive rebounds and 17 overall.

So dominating was Thompson that you could almost see the Bulls’ bigs’ shoulders drop after every rebound he took away from them. There was no stopping “Double T” as he played like a high school player who needed to make the varsity team.

For someone who averaged 64.1% on his free-throws, Thompson made a shocking 5 out of 5, completing one and-one after another. He inspired his team by his hustle and heart throughout this series and that was in full display in Game 6 most especially.

4. CAVS: 53 Rebounds, BULLS: 32 Rebounds

The Cavs totally owned the boards in this one with Thompson (17 rebounds) getting ample help from his teammates who gang-rebounded the basketball on the way to a 21-rebound differential. Coincidentally, the Cavs also beat the Bulls by 21.

…[The Cavs] gang-rebounded the basketball on the way to a 21-rebound differential. Coincidentally, the Cavs also beat the Bulls by 21.

LeBron (9), J.R. Smith (8), Iman Shumpert (7), and Timofey Mozgov (5) nearly equaled the entire Bulls’ output for the game. The Cavs were simply hungrier, tougher, and more energetic than the Bulls, leading to the 16 offensive rebounds that gave the team extra possessions and breathing new life into their offense which was sputtering in the third quarter. For a team that prided itself on defense and rebounding, the Bulls were outmatched even in the things that were considered their strengths. That’s how dominant this Cavs team was in this game.

5. CAVS: 12-27 3-Point FGs, 16-20 FTs; BULLS: 4-20 3-Point FGs, 9-10 FTs

The Cavs blew this game wide open with threes and free-throws that gave the team an extra 28 points (12 three-pointers + 16 free-throws) via great shooting from deep and converting on their freebies.

The Cavs were deadly from three point territory as they shot 44.4%. If you subtracted LeBron’s four missed threes, you’ll see that his teammates made an astounding 52% of their shots as they struck dagger after dagger into the Bulls’ hopes of pushing the series into a seventh game. They were relentlessly attacking the basket and taking advantage of the free-throws rewarded them for their efforts. Inasmuch as this game was a battle of heart, it was also a battle of skill as the Cavs proved that they were the better shooting team of the two.

Honorable Mention:

More from King James Gospel

Iman Shumpert: 13 Points, 2-4 3-Pt FGs, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 steals

Shump won’t tell you this, but that clothesline flagrant foul that he received from the Bulls’ Nikola Mirotic was a blessing in disguise. He did say that it “Wasn’t smart” and if you can read lips he had some not so nice words for the Bulls rookie.

After that incident, Shumpert was about to go to war with Mirotic but he wanted to do it the right way by winning the game. Iman was a man possessed as he spearheaded the Cavs’ offensive onslaught in the second quarter when he scored six straight points, turning a precarious Cavs one-point lead to seven en route to a commanding 58-44 lead at the half that the visiting team would not relinquish. Thanks, Nikola.

What Stats stood out to you in Cavs Vs Bulls Game 6?

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