CAVS vs. CHICAGO BULLS
at Quicken Loans Arena
Tonight at 8
Game 5 of Eastern Conference first-round playoffs
(Cavs lead best-of-seven series, 3-1)
TV: TNT, Fox Sports Ohio, WUAB
RADIO: WTAM
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Cavs have an opportunity to close out the Bulls tonight. Expect that to happen.
Teams don’t want to prolong the series. If the Cavs win tonight, they’d probably be off until Sunday for Game 1 of the East semifinals. Boston can also close out the Miami Heat tonight.
Bulls guard Derrick Rose had an MRI on his left ankle on Monday. He’ll play, but he might not be as explosive. No one will know until the teams get out on the court.
Forward Luol Deng, who’s had to defend LeBron James in the series, is also not 100 percent. He’s is suffering from calf and knee injuries. He was held out of practice on Monday, along with Rose.
The 6-9 Deng has made James work, but the latter is averaging 35 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists. That’s not bad in the Painesville rec league, no less the NBA.
The Cavs have made an average of 11 3-pointers in the first four games of the series in 26 attempts. GM Danny Ferry has surrounded James with 3-point shooters in Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon and others. When they are on their game, they are unbeatable.
* * *
LBJ’S SHOT: LeBron James’ 40-some foot shot against the Bulls wasn’t a heave. It was a regular shot from just over midcourt.
* * *
BANGO STUNT: OK, I don’t usually get too excited about mascot’s stunts. But this one by Bucks mascot, Bango, is crazy.
STARTING LINEUPS
SF LeBron James (6-8, 250) vs. Luol Deng (6-9, 220)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Taj Gibson (6-9, 225)
C Shaquille O’Neal (7-1, 325) vs. Joakim Noah (6-11, 232)
SG Anthony P! arker (6 -6, 210) vs. Kirk Hinrich (6-3, 190)
PG Mo Williams (6-1, 190) vs. Derrick Rose (6-3, 190)
PROJECTED INACTIVE LIST
Cavs â” G Danny Green, G Sebastian Telfair, F Leon Powe.
Bulls - G Acie Law, F Joe Alexander, F Rob Kurz.
OFFICIALS
Ken Mauer, Bill Kennedy, Zach Zarba
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