2015 Playoffs: (2) Cleveland vs. (3) Chicago

[NovU]

history has shown that Lebron can't do it alone.

Win a playoff series carrying deadweight as teammates?
Cavs 2007?
Heat 2014?

We're probably going to hear this again even if LBJ somehow gets past this series. I just can't envision the Cavs winning a chumpionship with Irving as by far 2nd best player on the team. I mean they'd be lucky to take this series to a game 7.

[allnickstaken]

In my opinion this is over. Hope that Bulls learn some offense for next season.

[Andrew]

They might have one last run in this one, they might take Game 6, but yeah, not enough to go any further than that...especially without Gasol.

Meanwhile, Gibson definitely lost his cool there, but pretty ridiculous that Dellavedova gets to stay in the game after instigating the fracas with the leg lock.

[Moz]

Of all the guys I expect to mess up, it is Butler who blew it with that brain fart shot... I hope Taj's ejection will be reviewed and they'll not suspend him next game (that was not a kick he's just pulling his leg off that lock)... More worried that Pau will not play next game than Rose will sit it though...

[[Q]]

I was expecting a T for dellavadova and a flagrant 1 on Gibson.

You can't fault his reaction because he wasn't the instigator

[Andrew]

It looked like Rose's wrist was bothering him. He had some good looks, but they weren't falling in the second half. I expect he'll play in Game 6, though.

He also definitely travelled on that pass to Butler for the three that put them within two late, but it kind of evens out a couple of times where LeBron definitely walked and got away with it. It's the NBA: only the most blatant "OK, we obviously can't let that slide" travels are going to be called.

[shadowgrin]

Lebron doing it again, scoring almost 40 pts. to carry his team to a narrow 5 point win over the Bulls.
Proving that he is indeed The King.

[NovU]

Cavs are just lucky Pau Gasol went down and then Rose isn't 100%.

[Mandich]

The ejection was unnecessary. With Gasol down the Bulls need all the bigs they have.

LeBron finally showing why he is the best player on the planet.

[shadowgrin]

Thibs sounded scary in the postgame interview, like a Mafia boss.

Dellavedova is a jerk.

[NovU]

Only Finals I am really interested at this point is healthy Bulls against Warriors. Otherwise the Warriors would just rape anyone because of the match up problem they pose against all other teams from East.

As terrible as Pau has been in this series, I still consider him the second important piece on this team. He's a guy that attracts much attention. Thx to his length and basketball IQ. Get healthy Bullz FFS.

[air gordon]

How annoying for taj to be ejected. No chance at any of the 50-50 balls after that. With all the funny business going on and l James playing terrific, the Bulls still had a chance to tie and another chance if they get the rebound on James miss with 20 some odd seconds left

I was surprised to see the Bulls get and make shots in the lane. Mozgov dominated the paint in the previous game. Encouraged they were able to do that without Pau drawing him out

Getting to the tipping point. The inevitable physical tussle is coming. I just hope no one gets hurt as a result. Enough players are out or playing through various injuries

Please play, Pau.

[Andrew]

Bulls' Gasol plans to play in Game 6 against Cleveland

Good news.

Cavs' Dellavedova gets technical for Game 5 incident

Only appropriate I suppose, but it's kind of like when the NBA acknowledges a blown call after the fact. It doesn't change anything in the grand scheme of things.

[allnickstaken]

Thibs sounded scary in the postgame interview, like a Mafia boss.

Dellavedova is a jerk.

What did he say?

[Andrew]

Trademark scoring drought plus Cavaliers raining threes again equals 20-4 run, and 14 point deficit at the half.

[Andrew]

This may be the ugliest third quarter in the history of the NBA. OK, probably hyperbole, but it's pretty bad. Cavs left the door open, and the Bulls kept trying to climb in the window.

[Jackal]

This one's done. Awful offensive game by the Bulls.

[Andrew]

I watched it to the end because it's the Bulls' last game of the season, but...yikes, it was tough.

[NovU]

I am just left speechless. The Bulls had this game and the series. WTF just happened in this series?

[Moz]

Butler trying to pull a Lebron with the shoes in the 2nd half... Fucking pathetic Lebron is shooting bricks and Kyrie's on one leg and they still can't get it done... Time to invest for a proper low post threat/power forward gutted they pass on Dieng and Nurkic...

[NovU]

Whatever happens, this is turning out to be the worst year for the Heat fans. First LBJ ditches, then Bosh signs maxmax only to go down, then misses the playoffs, now we gotta watch LBJ make 5th consecutive Finals appearance.

On the bright side, there is probably no way they're beating the Warriors. 4-0 for the Warriors, let's go.

[[Q]]

So is Thibs gone? They've been trying to get rid of him but I don't know why they'd dump a coach that has done nothing but win for them

[mp3]

Honestly I am surprised that Thibs is still the coach, I wouldn't of being shocked if he was told in the dying seconds of the 4th that he was gone the Bulls seem that keen to replace him!

Good effort by the Bulls but I think that Pau injury hurt there chances so much as he was a tough match up.

Credit to the Cavs TT for a strong effort as he has become the forgotten man this year since they got Kevin Love.

[Andrew]

So is Thibs gone? They've been trying to get rid of him but I don't know why they'd dump a coach that has done nothing but win for them

It sure seems like he's on his way out. You could argue that it's time for a change, that they've gone as far as he's going to take them, but he's only had one year with a healthy roster, and did a pretty damn good job through all the adversity. When it comes down to it, he's clashed with the front office, and probably told them a few truths that they didn't want to hear. If he gets the axe, it'll be a power play more than anything else, despite any basketball reasons that anyone cares to cite.

[iamSamke]

I think not. Thibadou is one of top 3 best coaches in NBA, he won't get fired.