Cavs vs. Bulls: Starters, injury report, odds and TV channel

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, even with the team having a matinee game on Sunday against the Utah Jazz, Monday’s contest at the Milwaukee Bucks was one where it appeared to be a potential schedule loss.

The Cavaliers still had that be their third game in a four-day span, and after a game versus Utah where it went right down to the last possession in a one-point loss, this Milwaukee game seemed to be one where they could be handled. It wasn’t a normal back-to-back necessarily, but it was still the champs in the Bucks.

The Wine and Gold did find a way to hang around in this one, where they ended up losing 112-104, and I don’t discount that. Unfortunately, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland had rough nights in the scoring sense, and Giannis Antetokounmpo made some high-difficulty shots down the stretch. I give him his props for that, and Khris Middleton was getting to his spots throughout the game.

Well, looking past that one/the Utah game, next up for Cleveland is their first meeting with the Chicago Bulls, who are playing outstanding basketball so far. Chicago won their game at home on Monday versus the Denver Nuggets, and they have a number of impact contributors that can affect games on both ends.

What should one have to know about this Cavs-Bulls matchup, and how to bet?

The Cavaliers were rolling prior to their game against the Jazz on Sunday afternoon, having won four straight convincingly, three of which were on the road. As we noted though, the past two were L’s to two one of the league’s best, and they’ll have another on the docket tonight in Chicago.

The Bulls have been playing terrific this year to this point, led by co-stars Zach LaVine and (offseason add) DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic is coming along with this team. At this juncture, the Bulls are second in the Eastern Conference, and while they have their share of weapons, their defense is really setting the tone for them.

In that regard, offseason addition Alex Caruso and sign-and-trade acquisition Lonzo Ball have been key reasons why Chicago has been stifling on that end in their minutes, and for Cleveland, they’ll need to play with urgency offensively. Garland and Ricky Rubio need to be better in this one than they were on Monday.

So where are the current odds, and what are the key injuries heading into this contest for both squads?

Cavaliers vs. Bulls: Odds, spread and over/under

The 13-12 Cavaliers will be hosting the 17-8 Bulls on Wednesday. Per our partners at WynnBet, the Cavs are favored by 2.5 over the visiting Bulls here. The over/under is 210.5, which is far lower than is typically the case for Chicago, who had an average point total of over 216 heading into their game versus Denver on Monday.

In this one though, with the Cavaliers likely wanting to utilize their size, and keep the pace slower one would imagine, and with Chicago’s injuries, that that played into that over/under.

Cavs vs. Bulls: Projected starting lineups, injury report

Bulls starters: Lonzo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, Zach LaVine, Derrick Jones Jr., Nikola Vucevic

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

The Bulls’ key injuries: DeMar DeRozan (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Coby White (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Javonte Green (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Matt Thomas (out, health and safety protocols); Alex Caruso (out, hamstring); Patrick Williams (out, wrist).

The Cavs’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for season, knee); Dean Wade (questionable, calf).

Cavaliers vs. Bulls: Prediction

Had the Bulls had Caruso and DeRozan in the lineup in this first meeting between these two divisional foes of this season, I’d have a different take on this matchup. Caruso, to reiterate, has been a key addition for this Bulls team, particularly on the defensive end, and he is a quality playmaking presence for them when he’s in there.

And when it comes to DeRozan, he’s been exceptional for Chicago this year, and has played off of LaVine, a budding superstar, so well so far. Plus, those other guys on the injury/COVID-19 health and safety protocols report, even Green as a reserve contributor, are impact players for the Bulls.

With that being the case, though I’m not saying the Cavs will simply run away with it from start to finish, I do expect the Cavaliers to win this by a few possessions, if not more here. The Wine and Gold had issues in the past two games for stretches, but in this contest, I do believe that they’ll be able to find their matchups, and should easily control the glass.

Prediction: Cavs 106, Bulls 98

The Bet: Cavs (-2.5), UNDER

Cavs vs. Bulls: Where to watch

This matchup between divisional rivals should be a nice mid-week contest, one would imagine, but it won’t be getting national attention. The Bucks and Miami Heat will be on ESPN, for reference, and for the late tip for that network, the Portland Trail Blazers will visit the Golden State Warriors.

The Cavs-Bulls game can be seen for those in local markets on Bally Sports Ohio and NBC Sports Chicago. The rest of those in other markets/subscribed can tune in via NBA League Pass. This is set to get started at 7 PM EST.

Cavaliers upcoming schedule

After this Chicago game, which I hope the Cavs get through without players getting sick (knocking on wood), the team will hit the road again to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, who have gotten off to an encouraging start for their fan base this year. The Timberwolves have one of the game’s best bigs in Karl-Anthony Towns, a rejuvunated D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards is taking a leap in Year 2. So that one should be intriguing.

From there, the Wine and Gold will fly back shortly after that contest and return for the second leg of a back-to-back on Saturday to take on Sacramento Kings. The Kings have had coaching change already with Luke Walton’s firing, but they do have their share of dynamic backcourt players and will look to get up-and-down early and often. That won’t be a cakewalk second leg of that back-to-back, either, but I could foresee the Cavaliers drawing foul trouble as that one progresses. And again, hopefully no Cavs get sick after this Bulls game!