The Cleveland Cavaliers head to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night in a matchup of two teams struggling this season.
The Cavaliers lost rookie Dylan Windler for the year before he could ever debut. Rookie Kevin Porter Jr. remains out, while Brandon Knight and Ante Zicic were also out Friday night. They lost Tristan Thompson early as he was ejected, and Dante Exum (though he returned) suffered an apparent ankle injury after stepping on the ankle of an official.
It has been some rough sledding for the Cavaliers, who will hope to end their six-game road trip with a .500 record by winning Saturday night.
Chicago, on the other hand, is on its third- and fourth-string centers right now. Not long after it lost Wendell Carter Jr., Daniel Gafford got hurt, so now Luke Kornet and Cristiano Felicio go from riding pine to absorbing most of the center minutes.
Otto Porter Jr. hasn’t played since early November, and they cannot find anyone outside of Zach LaVine to score the ball with no second thoughts. This is a very imperfect team that doesn’t look to be going anywhere fast.
Chicago is a 5.5-point favorite despite losing the last time the teams met. The Chicago moneyline is -230, while it’s +190 for Cleveland.
Looking To Break A Skid
Playing against three red-hot teams in a row away from home is likely to produce losses for a team like the Cavaliers. They couldn’t get past the Lakers or Clippers, and despite a furious comeback, they fell to Memphis on Friday.
Alfonzo McKinnie had his first-ever double-double, and Collin Sexton looked terrific. But the team could not get it done, taking their 30th loss in 42 games on the season.
Kevin Love has not been playing back-to-backs this year, so there is a chance he will sit this one out. If that’s the case, the team may have its hands full with Lauri Markkanen when Larry Nance Jr. is out.
The key for Cleveland getting the win lies in the starting backcourt. Darius Garland needs to make the right passes, and Sexton needs to be aggressive and attack the hole.
Getting Their Revenge?
Coming off a loss to the 76ers Friday night, Chicago does not have to wait long before coming home and playing its next game. LaVine is scoring nearly 25 points per game and looks like a sure All-Star, as he’s on a ridiculous stretch right now.
But No. 2 scorer Markkanen has clearly regressed in year three, averaging 15 and seven boards per game but not scoring as effectively as the last two years. He is the No. 2 option and is truly not reliable. They need him to step up Saturday night, as well as needing rookie Coby White to bring energy off the bench.
If LaVine goes on a scoring tear, the Bulls will leave their home building with a win. Cleveland isn’t great, but it is scrappy.
Bulls Win A Tight One
It will be a fourth loss in a row for the Cavaliers since their win over Denver a week ago. But the game will be very close. Bet the Cavaliers +5.5.
Free Play: CLE +5.5
