Cavaliers-Bulls Preview

By BRETT HUSTON
Posted Apr 26 2012 1:37AM

The Chicago Bulls don't yet know who they're hosting in the first round of the NBA playoffs, but they do know a win in their regular-season finale will give them home-court advantage as long as they're alive in the postseason.

The Bulls try to earn their 50th win and wrap up the league's top spot overall Thursday night at the United Center against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that could benefit with a loss.

Chicago (49-16) was guaranteed the top seed in the Eastern Conference when Miami lost at Boston on Tuesday, and got a step closer to securing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with Wednesday's 92-87 win at Indiana.

Another victory Thursday - or a San Antonio loss later that night at Golden State - would guarantee the Bulls the No. 1 overall seed.

"We're just trying to do what we can do as a team," center Joakim Noah said after finishing with 14 points and 14 rebounds against the Pacers. "We're just playing for ourselves. We just want to be playing well for when it really counts."

Chicago isn't yet sure who it'll face in the first round, but it'll be Philadelphia as long as New York can hand Charlotte a 23rd consecutive loss on Thursday or the 76ers lose at Detroit. Should the Knicks lose and Philadelphia win, the Bulls would host New York in Game 1.

Chicago's biggest concern heading into the postseason is certainly the health of Derrick Rose, and the league's reigning MVP was feeling good about his right ankle and foot despite missing 8 of 11 shots and finishing with 10 points in nearly 27 minutes Wednesday.

"Every day is getting better," said Rose, who's shot 32.1 percent in the five games he's played in April. "I'm not trying to do too much out there, just trying to play with the team, trying not to get reinjured. That's the biggest thing, and making sure I'm playing with a lot of confidence."

Every starter except Carlos Boozer played at least 26 minutes Wednesday, and Thibodeau expects his stars to see plenty of action Thursday as well despite there being nothing to gain.

"It will be about the same," he said. "We'll see where we are. I want our starters to get more time together, so it will be similar to tonight. We'll see how the game unfolds. I just want us to continue to take it step by step."

His starters haven't needed to play much against the Cavaliers (21-44) this season. The Bulls won both meetings in Cleveland by an average of 30.0 points, with Luol Deng averaging 22.5 points in just about 33 minutes - by far the most time on the floor of anyone on the roster.

Rose and likely rookie of the year Kyrie Irving alternated absences in those games, and the speedy point guards will have to wait until next season to square off for the first time. Originally listed as doubtful in Wednesday's home finale against Washington, Irving started and played 10 minutes in the 96-85 loss but won't play Thursday.

"I'm pretty content just to get out there and play in the final home game. Coach (Byron) Scott told me I was going to get 10 minutes and I got 9:47," Irving said. "I'll roll those 13 seconds over and I'll have some rollover minutes going forward."

The Cavs landed the top pick to select Irving despite having the eighth-best chance of landing No. 1 - with a choice acquired from the Clippers - but they'll have a better opportunity to land atop the lottery next month with a loss Thursday. Falling in Chicago would guarantee Cleveland at least a tie for the third-worst record.

Bulls rout Cavs to finish, earn overall No. 1 seed

Posted Apr 26 2012 11:25PM

CHICAGO (AP) Despite playing a major portion of the season without the reigning MVP, the Chicago Bulls still escaped the regular season unscathed.

John Lucas III scored a career-high 25 points, Joakim Noah had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bulls clinched the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs with a 107-75 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.

With the No. 1 seed in the East already in hand and the playoffs beginning on Saturday, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau took no chances in the regular-season finale. He rested Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kyle Korver.

"We've been through a lot this year, a lot of adversity, a lot of guys being injured. We fought hard throughout. It was a tough season. A lot of games in a compressed season, but we put ourselves in the best position possible," Noah said.

Chicago will host Philadelphia on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, 76ers forward Evan Turner said he preferred to face the Bulls as opposed to the Heat in the first round.

"Love it. We just have to give them what they ask for," Bulls guard Richard Hamilton said.

Despite being short-handed, the Bulls controlled most of the game. They led 58-45 at halftime behind nine points and eight rebounds from Noah, and Lucas' nine points.

Carlos Boozer scored the first six points of the third quarter and Chicago extended the lead to 66-47.

The Bulls could have also clinched home-court advantage throughout the postseason with a Spurs' loss to the Warriors, but didn't need the help. Lucas' 3 increased the lead with 3:53 to go and Jimmy Butler had tip to make it 99-69.

"Our team responded to every challenge," Thibodeau said. "We still have a long way to go. This is what you play for, to try to build all the right habits and give yourself the best chance to win in the playoffs. We are looking for the next challenge."

Tristan Thompson scored 13 points for the Cavaliers, who lost four straight games to end the season, their second straight last-place finish in the Central Division.

Kyrie Irving, who had a late-season sprained right shoulder and is recovering from the flu, did not play.

The Bulls outrebounded Cleveland 60-38.

"Well, the season is over. Now we can get down to real business (evaluating). I feel like we're in a great position with a lot of flexibility," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said.

With the game well in hand, fans started chanting for Brian Scalabrine with 8 minutes to go. He finally entered the game with 2:59 to a loud ovation. He made a jumper to a standing ovation with 25 seconds left.

Rose sat for the 27th time in 66 games this season. He has missed games with a bad back, sore groin, sprained ankle and the latest a foot injury, but Thibodeau said Rose will be ready for the playoffs and he is encouraged how Hamilton has played after returning from a shoulder injury.

"I think Derrick has been better than he has in a while and Rip (Hamilton) has gotten his legs under him. We just have to be ready to," said Thibodeau.

Antawn Jamison, who will become a free agent, scored 12 points in what likely will be his final game for Cleveland. The Cavs finished the season with a 21-45 record compared to last season's 19-63 record.

It's been a tough year," said Jamison. "After last year, we couldn't do anything but get better."

NOTES: The Cavs also played without Omri Casspi. He was out with a right knee tendinitis.

Notebook: Bulls 107, Cavaliers 75

Posted Thursday April 26, 2012 11:03PM

By Kent McDill, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: The Chicago Bulls clinched the best record in the National Basketball Association and homecourt advantage through the NBA Finals with a 107-75 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday at the United Center. Bulls guard John Lucas III tied his career high with 25 points, making 10 of 16 shots. Joakim Noah (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Taj Gibson (10 points, 12 rebounds) had double-doubles for the Bulls. Tristan Thompson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

DND-DNP UPDATE: The Bulls played without starters Derrick Rose and Luol Deng and key reserve Kyle Korver for rest and "maintenance" purposes. Rookie of the Year candidate Kyrie Irving did not play for the Cavaliers for the same reason.

THE FACTS II: The Bulls will play the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the NBA playoffs beginning Saturday.

QUOTABLE: "Last year, we had to rely heavily on (Rose's) scoring to have a good chance to win. This year Derrick does not have to score like that. We have a number of guys who can score the ball. We have a lot more scoring this year."
-- Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau on comparing this season's team to last season's team.

THE STAT: With the victory, the Bulls finished the 2012 season with a record of 50-16, a winning percentage of .757. Last year, they were 62-20, a winning percentage of .756.

THE STAT II: In a meaningless game with three key players out, the Bulls still shot 53 percent from the field, and outrebounded the Cavaliers 60-38.

TURNING POINT: It was a game of sorts in the first quarter but the Bulls won the second quarter 32-20 to lead by 13 at half and the result was determined.

GOOD MOVE: Thibodeau rested Rose and Deng, who are still nursing injuries, but prodded the remaining players to give it their best shot to get the win and the No. 1 overall seed.

HOT: Noah recorded his 24th double-double of the season.

QUOTABLE II: "The season is over. It was a tough year but I'm impressed with a lot of positives we have and I'm excited about the future."
-- Cleveland coach Byron Scott.

ROOKIE WATCH: Jimmy Butler, who could be a key defensive contributor for the Bulls in the post-season, had 12 points and four rebounds in 28 minutes.

NOTABLE: The National Basketball Retired Players Association announced Thursday that it has moved its corporate headquarters to Chicago from New York... Bulls forward Brian Scalabrine spoke to United Center crowd before the game, extolling them to support the Bulls as they go for "Banner No. 7"...

UP NEXT: For the Bulls, the first round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. For the Cavaliers, the 2012-13 season.

• Cavaliers: Erden, Gibson
• Bulls: Deng, Korver

• Cavaliers: --
• Bulls: --

• Lead Changes: 1
• Times Tied: 1

• Arena: United Center, Chicago, IL
• Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #29 Mark Lindsay, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 22563
• Duration: 1:58