NBA Playoffs 2015: Predictions, TV Schedule and Odds for Sunday's Matchups
The Chicago Bulls will push LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink of elimination with a win on Sunday. Coming off what was the biggest win in team history since the Michael Jordan era, the Bulls have the Cavs right where they want them.
Derrick Rose's desperation three-pointer bested the Cavs 99-96 in Game 3 on Friday, and the Bulls' confidence should be through the roof heading into Sunday's game. Their oft-injured leader sank one of the biggest shots in team history and scored 30 points to lead his team to victory. Chicago finally holds a lead in a series over a LeBron-led team past Game 1.
On the downside for Chicago, the team could be without All-Star power forward Pau Gasol. He's listed as questionable after injuring his hamstring in the team's victory, per NBA TV.
Depth is one of the Bulls' best attributes. They have Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic available to step in and play big in Gasol's stead. As a matter of fact, both Gibson and Mirotic stepped up big time for the team in Game 3.
The two combined for 21 points and 17 rebounds in Game 3, and the Bulls were plus-19 with Mirotic on the floor. Chances are, that duo will need to be big again on Sunday if Chicago is going to take the 3-1 series lead. James will likely come out very aggressive in this game. The onus will again fall on Jimmy Butler to slow James down as much as possible. He's done a solid job despite James averaging nearly a triple-double for the series: 26.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists.
Butler's pressure has led to 15 turnovers in the three games for James.
In the end, Chicago has too much depth and too many dependable weapons on offense. The Bulls will win Game 4 to take the 3-1 series lead. Here's a look at the schedule for both of Sunday's playoff games.
| Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | Cleveland (minus-1.5) | Chicago by five |
| Houston Rockets at L.A. Clippers | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | L.A. Clippers (minus-7.5) | Clippers by 15 |
The Los Angeles Clippers have the same opportunity that the Bulls have against Cleveland. A win by the Clippers at home would all but finish off the Houston Rockets. Quite honestly, the Clippers should have an easier time. Houston hasn't been able to clamp down on defense, and the return of Chris Paul to the lineup only made the Clippers appear that much more superior.
In Game 3, the Clippers blasted Houston 124-99 behind 31 points from J.J. Redick and a calming 12 points and seven assists from Paul. Blake Griffin has simply shredded the Rockets without pause all series. He's averaging 27.3 points, 14.3 rebounds and seven assists per game in the series.
The Rockets will come out fired up, but ultimately the Clippers will win again to grab a dominant position in the series.
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