A look at the projected matchups between the Cavaliers and Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals (Cavs players listed first):
Timofey Mozgov vs. Pau Gasol
Gasol is a former All-Star who can be a bit uneven. But he's played in major games at this time of year and come through. Mozgov is a newcomer to this environment. But he is big, athletic and causes chaos defensively. He can be underrated offensively near the basket, too. He loves to dunk and he's said so. Gasol is more skilled and more experienced, but this will not be an easy go for him. Edge: Bulls.
Tristan Thompson/James Jones vs. Joakim Noah
There's a chance the starting matchup could actually be Noah vs. LeBron James, with Jones at small forward. Noah could go head-to-head with Mozgov, too. But let's just say it's Noah vs. Thompson. Again, the Bulls will have the edge in experience. That counts for a lot. Noah knows what he can get away with here. He knows how to stick his butt into his man, box out, then go get the rebound. And Thompson has figured out how to overcome all that. Edge: Bulls.
LeBron James vs. Jimmy Butler
Butler is much-improved, a deserving All-Star. James is a deserving five-time finalist and four-time league MVP. Butler is a strong defender who can score. James can play every position on the floor and be the best player at that position. He lives for moments like these. He lives to try to bring Cleveland a title. He lives for people wondering how Butler might fare against him on such a big stage. Edge: Cavs.
Iman Shumpert/J.R. Smith vs. Mike Dunleavy
Dunleavy has great length, is an excellent shooter and can give you fits. You don't think he's supposed to do anything, and then, bam. Another 3-pointer. Smith can be the same. He also spots up and lets it fly. Smith is more explosive than Dunleavy. Smith is also suspended for the first two games. That likely leaves Shumpert as the starter. Or perhaps Shawn Marion. Either way, the Cavs have to be very aware of Dunleavy. He's no star, but he can really hurt you. Edge: Cavs.
Kyrie Irving vs. Derrick Rose
Irving is the best ball-handler this side of Steph Curry. Rose is unbelievably athletic and can get to the rim against anyone. He likely wants to take it right at Kyrie, who beat out Rose as the starter on Team USA last summer. But there was a reason for that. Irving was better than Rose then and overall, still is today. Not by much, and Rose can still light you up for 35. But this is Kyrie's time. Edge: Cavs.
Cavs bench vs. Bulls bench
Well, considering a lot of the Cavs' bench will have to start, this seems like a no-brainer. Nikola Mirotic, Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks offer the Bulls a nice mix of scoring, defense, veteran leadership and youthful energy. Meanwhile, we don't even really know who's starting for the Cavs yet, so it's hard to predict what will be in reserve. But without Smith for two games and Kevin Love for the playoffs, this really isn't even close. Edge: Bulls.
Coaching
Tom Thibodeau against just about anyone could be considered a landslide. He's been in seemingly hundreds of these series. His teams play playoff-basketball all year long and he is the ultimate basketball chess master. Meanwhile, David Blatt just completed the first seven-game series of his coaching career. On the bright side for Blatt, it only went four. Match strategies with Thibodeau and you're going places, kid. Edge: Bulls.
Prediction
Kevin Love is very good, but the Cavs aren't terrible without him. They still have LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and a bunch of others who are aiming to crush the latest batch of doubts. Nothing motivates greats such as James like telling them they're probably done. The Bulls, of course, are mighty determined, too. They don't like LeBron. But they're jealous for a reason. LeBron usually beats them.
