Round 1, Game 1 | Cavaliers vs. Bulls | April 17, 2010 | 3:00 EST ABC

[JJ Smooth]

3:00 p.m. at

EPIC SLIDESHOW EDITION!
(Note: Play music. Just put your mouse over the photo to find the player and postion. Enjoy)


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CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
~~~VS.~~~
CHICAGO BULLS
ROUND 1- GAME 1


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Tips to Victory​

1.) Guard Play: The Bulls' bread and butter has always been their guard play, earlier it was Gordon and Salmons, and now its Rose and Hinrich. For the good guys to be successful they'll need to inhibit the Chicago backcourt. Now both guards will score points, but the Cavs must make things difficult by challenging shots and definitely closing up the paint. Delonte will bring the defensive pressure, Mo and Parker will need to do the same to give the home team the advantage. Their pick and roll defense will also be tested here, a good precursor for a match-up against the Magic when it happens.

2.) Getting Acquainted Again: Shaq is back and the original starting five will play for the first time in six weeks. While the team say it won't be a problem I do expect some court rust; practice sessions are nothing like an actual game after all. I'm hoping we use a lot of team ball and inside/outside pass work to get all players involved. JJ's style of play is dramatically different from Shaq, so I'm hoping the real Lake Erie monster gets plenty of touches to get in a good, solid groove. Move the ball and bring back the Cavs continuity I know we have. While I'm positive Le-iso can beat a team like the Bulls, going to that this early just kicks off a bad habit.

3.) No Joke for Joakim: He's not a playmaker and he's easy to make fun of due to his appearence as the missing link in the evolution of man, but the Cavs need to respect Joakim Noah when he's on the court. Just like Varajao his hustle and energy can be costly, such as missing a key rebound or losing out on a possession. Now Noah will be restricted due to Shaq's presence, but it'd be even better if he's removed altogether. Driving into the paint and feeds to the Diesel should net Noah with some early and vital fouls.

4.) Sit Down, Shut Up: The Bulls are riding high after their win over the Celtics (well done Rasheed!) and swiping that #8 spot. They also split the season series against the Cavs (even if the first game had a game costing bad call, and the last one was without key players), so expect the Bulls to have a little swag in the Q this weekend. We need to put these clowns in their place right from the start, an in-your-shirt defense and smart offense will crush their morale quickly. It's also important to keep it on for the full 48 minutes; casual play has no business being on a playoff team, especially one with title aspirations like ours.

A Little Preview...Get Ready...​

ESPNChicago.com Bulls blog
The latest news from Bulls reporter Nick Friedell. Blog

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- LeBron James didn't smile or crack any jokes. This wasn't the time.

As his teammates finished shooting free throws after practice on Thursday night, Cleveland's superstar stood against a wall and fixed his eyes on an imaginary target moving closer by the minute.

The postseason has arrived, and with it another chance at an NBA championship.

"I am serious," James said about his sober demeanor. "This is the playoffs."

James and the Cavaliers, who have spent nearly one year trying to get over last season's disappointing loss to Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals, will begin their run toward a title on Saturday when they host the Chicago Bulls, a team that beat them twice during the regular season and most recently on April 8.

The Bulls, who in recent days have been dealing with ugly reports of an altercation between coach Vinny Del Negro and executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, are huge underdogs against the Cavs -- the league's best team all season.

But despite the perceived mismatch and Chicago's long odds, Bulls forward Joakim Noah said he and his teammates plan "to try to shock the world" and upset the Cavs.

"We're ready for the challenge," James said. "I think Noah's a really good player. He's a really good talent. But, you know, he asked for us a couple weeks ago and he got us. So we're ready. It's a different monster they're going to be playing against on Saturday."

For the first time since Feb. 25, the Cavs will take the floor with Shaquille O'Neal at center.

After missing 23 games following surgery to repair a torn right thumb ligament, O'Neal has come back rested and ready to fulfill his goal of winning a championship with James. The 7-foot-1 center has returned in incredible shape, saying he spent the down time "eating right, swimming, working out, doing what I do. It's all about the mission."

The "mission" is to deliver a championship to Cleveland, a city that hasn't had a pro sports title since 1964 and has rarely been better positioned to have one of its teams win it all.

On the brink of his 204th playoff game, O'Neal said he's prepared to help the Cavs go as far as possible.

"It's a chance for me to do something special, personal-wise, city-wise, LeBron-wise and everybody wise," he said. "We have a pretty good shot at it. If we go out and do what we're supposed to do, then we'll be fine."

O'Neal said he will not be limited by his injury and that his thumb will be protected by a "fake thingy, jammy, thingy." He's expecting the Bulls' best shot, but feels the Cavaliers should be able to handle it.

"We got everybody healthy," he said. "We know what we have to do and it's going to be a hard battle. We know that every team we play against is going to be playing way above their heads."

James has never gone into the playoffs with a post player -- or any teammate -- like O'Neal, who gives the Cavs a unique weapon and vital playoff experience.

"He's been there," James said. "Shaq has definitely played at the highest level. He's played with some of the greats. To have one of the greats on our team, on our side, this time around, it adds a dimension to our team that we haven't had in the past. It's going to help us a lot."

James, who will likely add a second straight MVP award to his resume, sat out Cleveland's final four regular-season games to rest up for the playoffs. He doesn't anticipate any rust in Game 1, and said the Cavs can't worry about working through any kinks early in the series.

"We don't have time for a game or two," he said. "There's no excuses right now. We'll go out and play, guys that are comfortable will be in the game. We expect everyone that has a uniform on to be ready to play. There's no room for one or two games where we have to get it turned on. It's the playoffs."

James has been eager for the chance to erase the memory of last year's loss to the Magic, which ended with him storming off the floor in disgust.

"I've been waiting personally on this since Game 6 of the Orlando series," he said. "It kind of hurts for a long time. You kind hold that in for all summer and all regular season to get back to this point. I'll be happy Saturday when I get the opportunity to release it."

Last week, James made a speech to his teammates, reminding them of what's at stake.

"I basically just said this is the time," he said. "This is what everyone was brought here for. This is what everybody worked hard in the offseason all year long. This is the time now. There's no time to look backwards. It's all about straight forward and just the vision of us winning an NBA championship.

"We want to win every series, we want to take every game like it's our last. But our whole vision is to win an NBA championship and we have to believe it first."

:spin:And Now...Playoff Danceoff!:spin:

CAVALIERS REVENGE TOUR 2010: LEMME SEE YOUR WAR FACE!

"So Chris, you ready for the playoffs?"

:ninja:I really don't have much more to say, so lemme say go, go, go JJ!:ninja:

 

[LebonJaymes]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPVB1COw0Gs&feature=related

 

[Green Lantern]

As long as the Cavs can contain the guards ,this should be a short series..I expect the Cavs to start out slow, but in the second half pull away.

 

[Silky Smooth]

I love the slide show gammy, thingy.

 

[cschneider27]

Pick 'n Roll, Drive and Kick....the Bulls game....play good pick n roll defense, learn how to get around screens and not go under them (Mo) and we will do good. Anybody going to the game tomorrow better come home with absolutely no voice left from screaming...I want the Indians to hear the fans inside the Q when they are warming up, and make them hear how much support a crowd gives a team when they play very well!! GOOOO CAVVS!

 

[Danny DiVito]

I like this.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBf6ufW1SCs&feature=player_embedded

 

[Clinton91]

Sweet vid, Devito.

 

[Powerslave]

We gon BULLy these n**gas!

 

[Tony_The_Calf]

That one player is Chris Richard hahaha

 

[Powerslave]

Forgot John Salmons in the Bulls Rotation and that one player is Chris Richard hahaha

John Salmons is on the Bucks. Welcome to February (we're gonna get Amare soon!!!)

 

[Tony_The_Calf]

John Salmons is on the Bucks. Welcome to February (we're gonna get Amare soon!!!)

Oh yeah duh, dunce moment.

 

[demondeacs13]

Less than 24 hours until tip...man, I have never been more amped to start the playoffs than I am right now. I'll be heading downtown at about 9 in the morning to get my bar hopping on.

Should be a great day!

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

Nicely done game thread

I'd imagine Lebron will come out like a monster in this one having been sitting for so long. 1st quarter could get ugly for CHI real quick!

 

[MoFlo]

Great job as usual

Here's your NumbersDon't preview for Game 1:

Game Preview – Saturday April 17, 2010 – Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers – Game 1

The Playoffs are here! The Cavaliers will play the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Playoffs for the 6th time, the 4th in the opening round. The Cavaliers have not won a playoff series from the Bulls, as they are 0-5, winning just 6 games out of 23.

However, now the shoe is on the other foot. It’s the Cavaliers with the superstar. It’s Cleveland that has the best record and the best team in the league. It’s Cleveland who now out for revenge for all Michael Jordan has put this city through. We’ll see how it fares for Chicago this time around.​

View it in its entirety

Remember to check out all the other great posts & leave some love for them, they definitely deserve it!

Cam recently went through the Cavaliers regular season awards, with some interesting awards being handed out.

And if you have any questions, comments, complaints, compliments, suggestions, or just want to chat about the blog, feel free to in the NumbersDon't thread.

Also, keep an eye out for my playoff previews for each series in this season's postseason!! Cavs/Bulls will be posted 1st, and will be up shortly

 

[BuzzerBeater]

I CANT WAIT