Game 6 | Cavaliers vs Bulls | November 5, 2009 | 8:00 PM EST

[Splitz]

INJURIES

Cavs: Leon Powe Oct 26, 2009/ Left knee - out 4 months
Bulls: Aaron Gray Sep 29, 2009 / Fractured left fibula - Out 6 to 8 weeks​

Tyrus Thomas listed as 'out' for the game 'flu'

Update from practice: Tyrus Thomas did not practice today (flu) and will not make the trip to Cleveland for Thursday night's game vs. Cavs

per Bulls facebook page

GAME NOTES​

The Cavaliers are on a tear after a weak start in which a lot of fan panicked (including myself to some extent). After taking out two teams that are not exactly shoe ins for the playoffs, the Cavs got a true test against a reinvigorated Wizards team that always shows up 110% for a shot at the king. What was more evident then anything else is that against certain teams and in certain situations, the Shaquisition can look like one hell of a genius move. The Cavaliers gave Washington a steady does of Shaq which revealed a facet of the offense that has been painfully invisible for a long time in Cleveland, a legitimate post threat. En route to a 21 point, 8 rebound performance, Shaq finally transitioned from a guy just looking to fit in, to a tenacious, aggressive, and confident low post force.

Equally as exciting has been the reemergence of the stingy Cleveland defense. After a lethargic start, the Cavs dug in defensively and started to impose their will. They allowed only 36 second half points while pouring on the offense with contributions from an often chastised Daniel Gibson. The momentum continued with James on the bench.

Next up is a Bulls team that was able to squeak out a victory against a Bucks team that looks to have found a gem in Brandon Jennings. Luol Deng posted monsterous numbers with 24 points and 20 rebounds while substituting for a flu stricken Tyrus Thomas at the 4. Thomas has had disagreements with coach Vinny Del Negro and as of yet, has failed to live up to expectations. A rejuvenated Luol Deng looked excellent playing Power Forward so that begs the question, will we be seeing more of this?

Some things to look out for

-The Brad Miller and Derrick Rose pick n' pop could be effective as Brad Miller is adept at getting his defender up in the air with a pump fake. He is also a huge threat to make a play with the ball in his hands as he has great vision and passing skills for a big man. Shaq recently had this to say about Miller, despite trying to kill him several years ago:

"“An undersized, but respectable center. He’s more like a Tim Duncan-type forward. He can step out and shoot the jumper. He will foul you hard and will not back down.”

-John Salmons is currently shooting a very Larry Hughesesque 26% from the field and 18% from beyond the arc indicating a bit of a slump that the Cavaliers may be able to use to their advantage. He is also looking a step slow on defense, losing his man consistently. Captain Kirk has also seen his FG% decline to 35% as well as a putrid 2/15 from downtown.

-Derrick Rose doesn't seem to be 100% healthy and is lacking his usual explosiveness. He still has the ability to come alive in the 4th quarter but overall, he has looked disjointed and out of synch which in turn has derailed the Chicago offense. We can do what other teams have done and that is to collapse on Rose and lure Salmons into jumpers. Rose hasn't been handling the job of facilitator very well so let's test him further.

-Joakim Noah has been a shining star for this team and taking a quick look at him, it's clear to see that he hit the gym in the offseason. He is taking the momentum that he built in the postseason and carrying it through to the present. He is the Bulls version of Varejao, high energy, pesky, a growing offensive threat, and has that innate ability to piss off the opponent. I'm not sure if it's the hair or the 5 hour energy shots but the two of them are very similar in what they can bring to the table.

-The Bulls defense has been very good but we should be able to keep them off balance. Noah seems to have big games against us consistently so we will get to see if the presence of Shaquille O'Neal pays dividends again.

SPLITZ' RANDOM WTF MOMENT

 

[TheNewEra]

Great game day thread

 

[kookoo]

Beautiful. Why aren't Coby and Green on the injured list (everywhere)?

 

[camakazee]

Nice thread as always, Splitz... but I gotta ask, why does it look like John Salmons is taking a hollow point to the face? :chuckles:

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Great thread. Need a little babe-age to get an A+, but you get a solid A for sure.

 

[Splitz]

Great thread. Need a little babe-age to get an A+, but you get a solid A for sure.

Thanks, I have some more stuff to add but I've got to get to bed. There will be some high quality hind parts in the near future.

 

[Walter White]

I love your graphics.

 

[Number1Starter]

Brad Miller vs. Shaq/Z is going to be a very interesting match-up -- and potentially game changing (in either direction)

The key, I believe, will be Shaq getting Miller into early foul trouble.

Thing is, Brad Miller can present problems in his ability to play outside the paint -- and a tough pick and roll guard with Derrick Rose.

 

[AMC]

I played this game on NBA 2K10, I won the game with a buzzer beating 3




....by Troy Murphy

 

[theSTEREO.]

Nice work Splitz!

Everyone's stepping their game up this year. Heck yeah.

 

[AMC]

Yeah, very nice job Splitz

 

[Numbers Guy]

Great preview.

Not that it is a big deal, but Brad Miller comes off the bench.. Noah has been the starter for quite some time.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Great preview.

Not that it is a big deal, but Brad Miller comes off the bench.. Noah has been the starter for quite some time.

I feel bad for Noah. Dude put on a bit of muscle, but he can't guard Shaq.

 

[Karma]

Chicago don't have enough post offense to be a consistent threat. We just need to get the ball down low early and get some early fouls. Chicago don't like to got deep into their bench so there will be some cracks.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

LeBron is going to have to make a concerted effort on the two things that he has been slacking on so far this season. Boxing out and fighting through screens. He's likely going to be matched up with Luol Deng, so those two things are important. He put up 24/20 last game!