PROTECT THE PAINT

The Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers last month. Tonight, LeBron James and the Cavs will have the opportunity to avenge this loss. Chicago (7-9) enters Quicken Loans Arena looking to gain momentum towards making the push above .500, but it will not be easy. The game airs live at 8:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Can Luol Deng and the Bulls step up to the Cavs? (Credit: picapp.com)

Cleveland (13-5) enters tonight’s game looking to capture their 11^th win in their past 13 games and are playing well together after starting the season 3-3. After that 3-3 start, the Cavs have melded well with Shaq, resulting in a 10-2 record since . They look to improve furthermore upon this hot streak tonight against a depleted Chicago Bulls roster.

With everything clicking on all cylinders for the Cavs, the odds are in their favor tonight.

Coach Vinny Del Negro will be shorthanded tonight as guards Kirk Hinrich (Thumb) and Jannero Pargo (Hip) have depleted the Bulls depth in the back court. Derrick Rose and John Salmons will have to log huge minutes tonight. They must also yield strong production with these minutes to have any chance of contention.

Lindsey Hunter is a capable defensive player in short bursts but at age 39 one must wonder how long he can be effective on the floor. He is Rose’s lone backup option at the point tonight.

With Tyrus Thomas still out due to injury, the Bulls depth is meager at best in both the back and front court. Rookies Taj Gibson and James Johnson will have to bear quite a load.

Luol Deng will have to have a monster night as well. Look for a stress filled Vinny Del Negro tonight in search of answers that will likely elude him.

Vinny Del Negro faces a tough match up tonight. (Credit: picapp.com)

Unless Derrick Rose digs deep within himself, and performs like he did in last years playoffs against Boston, look for this to be a an interesting, entertaining, yet one-sided game in favor of the Cavaliers. However, as Rose showed us in those playoffs last year, you must not count the Bulls out until the sound of the final buzzer.

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