King James Gospel
Fansided

Cavs vs. Bulls: Four things we learned

By Daniel Opacich

Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Cleveland Cavaliers fans were expecting an entertaining Saturday night after a tough loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.  The Pacers rolled to an easy 123-109 win over the LeBron James-less Cavs just three short days ago.

The Chicago Bulls came into this game with just a shred of life for the postseason, being down 3 games to the #8 seed Indiana Pacers.

The Cavaliers came into this game trying to lock-up the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference – with a win Saturday they would have been able to lock up the honors of being the best team in the East heading into the playoffs.

But the Bulls shut the Cavs down in the 4th quarter – winning 105-102 – and forced the Cavaliers to keep playing their games without resting starters.

Here are four things we learned from the Cavs loss.

1.) One thing that has been apparent the last four games is how much the Cavaliers have been turning over the ball. Sloppy passes, not paying attention to protecting the ball, and maybe moving faster than they are used to has accounted for this. The Cavaliers have averaged 14 turnovers in the last four games. The Cavaliers MUST reign in the turnovers, this is how opposing teams stay in games, but come playoff time this could be the difference between a win and a loss.

2.) The Cavaliers have had a franchise year in made three-point field goals. They made a season high 19 three-pointers in this loss. Shooting guard J.R. Smith has set a franchise record with made three-point shots in a season. With a first quarter three-pointer on Tuesday night in Milwaukee, Smith broke Wesley Person’s franchise record of 192 threes made in a single season. Smith is up to 203 on the year so far.

3.) Can the Cavaliers ever excel without LeBron James on the floor? This game was lost for the most part by the 2nd team bench players. Credit must be given to the Bulls bench, having consistently taken leads from the Cavaliers and in the 4th quarter gave LeBron and the starters fits as the Bulls kept the young front court on the floor. The Bulls have very good bench players, and a number of All-Star starters and they have had the Cavs number all season long, winning the series 3-1.

More from King James Gospel

4.) The offense has been the most positive thing that has come out of the Tyronn Lue coaching change. Since coach Lue was elevated to head coach after the firing of David Blatt January 22, 2016, the offense has improved to an offensive rating of 3rd best in the NBA with a 110.9 points scored per 100 possessions, however the defense which was top 5 in the NBA has slipped to a defensive rating of 9th best in the NBA with 104.4 points given up per 100 possessions. It is without doubt the main thing that will keep the Cavaliers from winning a title, as many a basketball aficionado has said that “Defense wins championships.”

There are just two games remaining in the regular season, and the Cavaliers need one more win or a Toronto Raptors loss to clinch the ever elusive #1 seed. Can the Cavaliers get a win at home against the Atlanta Hawks or will they have to play everyone in the season finale at home against the Detroit Pistons?