Bulls vs. Cavs NBA Playoffs Prediction
This Bulls vs. Cavs NBA Playoffs prediction is courtesy of Pregame.com. Be sure to visit their website for all the latest free predictions and game analyses here.
The Chicago Bulls host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a vital Game 4 of their best of 7 First Round series. The Bulls will attempt to tie the series at 2-2, while Cleveland attempts to take a commanding 3-1 lead. The Cavaliers are 5.5 point favorites, with a total of 194 points expected today. ABC will televise the contest at 3:30 EDT.
Home court has ruled the day in this series, as each team has held serve at home this series. Chicago will attempt to do the improbable today, in beating the odds on favorite to win the NBA Championship in consecutive games. Chicago played a great game 3, winning 108-106 as a 4 point underdog. The Bulls got back in this series thanks to their guard play. PG Derrick Rose scored 31 PTS, while teammate G Kirk Hinrich scored 27 PTS on 9 of 12 shooting. Rose has been unbelievable all series long, as he's averaging 27.3 PPG. The Bulls have won all 3 games ATS at home against Cleveland this season, including 2-1 SU in those games as well. C Joakim Noah is making waves not only for his mouth, but also his on court presence. Noah is averaging 15 PPG and 11 RPG this series. The Bulls are 25-17 SU and 21-19-2 ATS in home games this season. Chicago is 25-21 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 3-2 ATS as a home underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS. Chicago will look to keep the tempo quick, as that gives them their best opportunity for success against Cleveland.
The Bulls are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog. The Over is 9-1 in the Bulls last 10 playoff games as an underdog.
Cleveland is saying all the right things, as they claim their loss in Game 3 was a good thing for them moving forward. The Cavaliers fell behind early in Game 3 before making a late rally. F LeBron James has stated on the record that facing adversity early in the playoffs is good for the Cavaliers, as it forces them to not take anything for granted. James is certainly doing his part in this series, as he's averaging nearly 30 PPG and 8.6 APG. James is also averaging 3 BPG while shooting better than 57% from the field this series. G Mo Williams and F Antawn Jamison are each averaging more than 15 PPG to help James offensively. Cleveland needs to work on their defense a bit more, as they've allowed the Bulls to score more than 100 PTS in 3 of their past 4 meetings. Cleveland is 63-22 SU and 39-45-1 ATS overall this season. The Cavaliers are 26-16 SU and 22-19-1 ATS away from home this season. Cleveland is 9-7 ATS as a road favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this season. The Cavaliers are only 3-8 ATS in the game after allowing their opponent score 105 PTS or more.
The Cavaliers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss. The Over is 6-1 in the Cavaliers last 7 playoff games as a favorite.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 99-98 in favor of the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls +5.5 is the Play of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
