The Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers are engaged in an epic playoff series, and given it is now tied at 2-2, there is likely to be plenty more drama ahead.
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There is history between these two rivals as there is between LeBron James and the Bulls, with the two-time NBA champion now looking to eliminate them from the playoffs yet again.
After Chicago took Game 1 on the road, the Cavs hit back before doing so again in Game 4 with James’ buzzer-beating game-winner matching Derrick Rose’s effort in the previous encounter.
Both former MVPs are putting on a show for the fans in this series, and it remains to be seen who eventually comes out on top. However, it is worth appreciating the form of Rose in particular given that Bulls fans have been waiting three long years to see him back in the playoffs.
The 26-year-old is not only proving his doubters wrong, but he is also giving the fans the Rose that they deserve, and that can only be a good thing for all concerned. In addition, his back-court partner in Jimmy Butler is averaging 22.6 points in the post-season, and they are forming quite the dynamic duo this year.
While the star point guard may not necessarily have the same explosiveness as he did years ago, he is certainly becoming more aggressive and is attacking the basket with great regularity in this series and isn’t settling for jumpers.
As a result, fans are treated to special plays like the one below, where he creates new moves that leave others questioning how he is able to do it, especially after everything that he has been through.
Nevertheless, whatever he has been able to produce, James has matched him as we reach a critical stage of the series ahead of Game 5 on Tuesday night.
LeBron not only silenced Chicago with that epic last-gasp shot over Butler, but he grabbed back the momentum in the match-up and has the Cavs believing they can deal with their injury woes.
Kyrie Irving looks hobbled with his foot problem, JR Smith was seen wincing along with Iman Shumpert while even James rolled his ankle and gave Cleveland quite the scare.
The Bulls are banged up to with Taj Gibson potentially joining Pau Gasol on the sidelines, and if their front court is severely weakened, then they could be vulnerable.
Chicago should feel as though they missed a critical opportunity on Sunday in potentially taking a 3-1 lead, now instead they must avoid facing an elimination game next time they head home.
Whichever way this series goes, it will certainly be one that is looked back on by NBA fans as one of the most thrilling that these two teams have put on in their on-going rivalry in the East.
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