NBA Playoffs 2015: Full Round 2 Schedule, Odds and Best Highlights
On Wednesday night, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets answered the bell for their second-round fights with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively. Led by a headband-wearing and aggressive LeBron James, the Cavs jumped out to a 20-point lead after the first quarter.
Despite being outscored in each of the last three quarters, the Cavs were able to hold the Bulls off to secure the 106-91 victory. James punctuated a 33-point, eight-rebound, five-assist performance with this emphatic slam over Bulls' elite defender and NBA's Most Improved Player (per Marc Stein of ESPN.com) Jimmy Butler.
Aside from LeBron's dominance, the Cavs also shot 46.2 percent from three-point range, and Tristan Thompson filled in nicely for the injured Kevin Love at power forward.
He had a total of 12 rebounds—six on the offensive glass—and provided the energy his team needed.
After shooting the lights out in Game 1, the Bulls struggled from the field. As a team, Chicago made 40.5 percent of its shots. Derrick Rose had a double-double with 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, but he made just six of 20 shots.
Butler led the Bulls with 18 points, and Pau Gasol was a major disappointment with 11 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes. Game 3 of the series shifts to Chicago on Friday. Per Odds Shark, the Bulls are two-point favorites on their home court.
Here's a look at the remaining schedule for Bulls-Cavs and the other three series in the NBA playoffs.
| Game | Date and Time (ET) | TV |
| 3 | Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 4 | Monday, May 11 at 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wednesday, May 13, 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6* | Friday, May 15, TBD | ESPN |
| 7* | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TBD |
| Game | Date and Time (ET) | TV |
| 3 | Friday, May 8, TBD | ESPN |
| 4 | Sunday, May 10 at 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 5 | Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 6* | Thursday, May 14, TBD | ESPN |
| 7* | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TNT |
| Game | Date and Time (ET) | TV |
| 3 | Saturday, May 9 at 5 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Wednesday, May 13, 8 p.m. | TNT |
| 6* | Friday, May 15, TBD | ESPN |
| 7* | Monday, May 18 at 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Game | Date and Time (ET) | TV |
| 3 | Friday, May 8 at 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Sunday, May 10 at 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 | Tuesday, May 12 at 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 6* | Thursday, May 14 at 3 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7* | Sunday, May 17, TBD | TBD |
James Harden proved he deserved to be in the MVP conversation with the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry on Wednesday. With his Houston Rockets facing an 0-2 hole heading to the Staples Center for Games 3 and 4, Harden came up big to lead his team to a come-from-behind 115-109 win.
Harden scored 32 points and dished out seven assists. Dwight Howard's impressive 24-point, 16-rebound and four-block showing backed Harden's performance. Here's one of D12's big blocks on Austin Rivers.
Trevor Ariza also had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Blake Griffin did his best to lead the Clips to a 2-0 series lead. He had 26 points in the first half and 34 overall, as the Rockets held him to eight points after halftime.
Griffin added 14 rebounds and four assists.
Playing without Chris Paul, the Clippers still have to feel good about the split. The All-Star point guard is still nursing a hamstring injury, and his team missed his presence down the stretch. Game 3 is in Los Angeles, and it takes place on Friday night.
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