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The rematch everyone has been waiting for. I'd expect Lauri to take it personal this time around, but he may still be shook from Lonzo and Javonte locking him up last time.

Also very interested to see which bubble players are going to separate from the bunch to make the team. I'd expect the last game to be BD's last look to solidify rotations, but he may use this game to do so, and the final game may be used to rest the starters. Hope to have a clearer look at the final team tonight.

Chicago Bulls (expected) starting lineup:

PG: Lonzo Ball
SG: Zach Lavine
SF: Demar DeRozan
PF: Javonte Green
C: Nikola Vucevic

Cleveland Cavaliers

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Colin Sexton
SF: Issac Okoro
PF: Evan Mobley
C: Jarret Allen


Keys to game:
-Demar and Vuc need to get going
-Bench unit holding the lead
-Keep the pace up


Injury Report

CHI
Tony Bradley- Day to Day

Hoping for a early 10 point plus deficit. I really want to see what this team is made of when their down and need stops to get back in a game.

Good thing is early in the season we have a tough stretch after our 1st 5 games so we will def get some test then. Don't know if we will get it this game though. Lavine and ball as a back court is a problem for garland and sexton. Green is going to give lauri nightmares.

Bulls win this game by 20

Nikola Jokic will have this team on his radar if he doesn't win a title in Denver on his current extension.

50 Wins......

It's about that time...time for another 50pt blowout. Basically wanna see a repeat of the last 2 games + Vuc hitting some 3s.

Bulls by 36

Is it the old pessimist in me if I say I'm worried about only a 10 point win.

I say we lose. Personal attacks will be made, people will get banned, & mods will go at it with one another.

Obviously preseason doesn't matter, but this game should be interesting. The Cavs will probably be motivated to not get their ass beat like last time, they should have made some adjustments, and will our players come into this one overconfident?

If we can get another decisive win, I'll feel like we should definitely make the playoffs this season.

I'm looking for another win with DDR and Vuc making more shots and DJJ getting more minutes.

I am not sure we will blow them out. They will come better prepared and ready not be humiliated again. Regardless it's preseason or not this are professional athletes. So there is some pride and ego involved. We still win just based on talent, experience, leadership and coaching.


Not sure I could have said that just few months ago...

It'll be interesting to see what adjustments Cleveland makes and how effective those adjustments are. It'll be a window into how teams will approach us this season.

I don't think there is anything left to see in pre-season for me.

Guys like Vuc/DeRozan haven't been good, but I don't have any concerns about them in the regular season over a long period of time. Everyone else has shown me enough to be very excited about what is to come. Now we need to see it. 2 More 36 point wins in preseason won't make me feel any better at this point than I already feel and unless we just get blown out twice, I probably won't feel any worse either.

Can't say I'm excited to watch another Cavs game, but it is what it is.

Should be an easy win for the Bulls. I do not think the Cavs are as bad as one might think based on the first encounter but they are not a good team either. The team is poorly constructed and some players have been outright terrible so far (esp. Sexton). The Bulls, on the other hand, have been a pleasant surprise with things clicking right from the start it seems.The Bulls are the superior team, and barring extensive resting of key players I do not see how this could be L.

Lauri looking for revenge for his revenge game.

I don’t mind the Bulls taking their foot off the gas for this and the next game. They proved their point and they don’t need to go full throttle. Thibs doesn’t coach this team. That being said if the opportunity presents itself they should crush it. As Doug said though, I don’t need to see anymore in the preseason. I’ve gotten the point

I know that Billy is trying to work on team chemistry, but if there's a chance to get Pat back for the last PS game, I'd rather minimize the starter minutes this game.

Looking for some Lauri at the 3 minutes for the Cavs.

https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/10/lauri-markkanen-playing-small-forward-cleveland-cavaliers-willing-to-give-it-a-try.html

Grodoboldo wrote:Looking for some Lauri at the 3 minutes for the Cavs.

https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/10/lauri-markkanen-playing-small-forward-cleveland-cavaliers-willing-to-give-it-a-try.html

Inevitable given Allen's $100M contract, calling Mobley their franchise player, and committing to playing Kevin Love.
It's interesting Cleveland is going the opposite direction of AK, going super big. They're going to use a Mobley/Love/Markkanen frontcourt.

FWIW I think Lauri is fine at SF, he was never a rim protector and never a post-up guy anyway,

The long and the short of it is...their front court is super big and their backcourt is super small. (See what I did there?)