![]() ![]() ![]() Cleveland's offense erupted for 115 points, with all five starters scoring at least nine points and shooting better than 55 percent from the field. Granted, the game was back in early December and didn't feature DeRozan, but it was still two-way domination in every sense. It's no picnic, as the Bulls learned the first time they met. They're big, physical and relentless on defense, and even if opponents manage to match those three elements, they still have to deal with ignitable All-Star guard Darius Garland. ![]() The Bulls didn't have LaVine for that contest, and the Bucks really didn't have an answer for DeMar DeRozan (35 points on 18 field-goal attempts) or Nikola Vucevic (19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks). The Bucks grabbed an early 1-0 series lead on the Bulls in late January, but that game shouldn't give Chicago's coaching staff too much pause beyond the final result (a 94-90 Bucks win). The circumstances alone are tough, and that's before accounting for the defending champs' talent level. ![]() Plus, Chicago plays the previous night at home against Toronto. This game-the only of the three not held in Chicago-will kick off the Bulls' longest remaining road trip, a five-game trek that will only span seven days. Since head-to-head and division performances are the first factors used to break up those ties, it's tough to overstate the importance of Chicago's three remaining matchups with Central Division rival Milwaukee.Īll three will count the same in the standings, but this might be the biggest boost to the Bulls' chances if they can pull it off. Tiebreakers could wind up playing a role in this race. The Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers are all just 2.5 games back of the Bulls, and even the seventh-seeded Toronto Raptors-who would be a play-in tournament team if the campaign closed today-are within five games of Chicago. Holding off the Heat won't be easy, but that's far from the only competition facing Chicago. ![]()
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