Two rivals clash on Sunday as the Cleveland Cavaliers host their Eastern Conference foes, the Chicago Bulls, in a tasty preview of a potential playoff series.
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland.
When: Sunday April 5, 20:30 (UK time)
Watch live: Click here to watch on BT Sport online!
Cleveland currently lead Chicago by three games in the Central Division with six games to play in the regular season, and with the second seed likely to be all-but secured with a win on Sunday, this game has real meaning.
The Cavs have won a staggering 17 consecutive games at home as they prepare for the playoffs by creating an unbeatable aura around the Q, and they will receive an additional boost on Sunday with Kevin Love set to return from injury.
Derrick Rose remains out for the Bulls, but the likes of Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol will be hoping to prove a point on the road as they attempt to get over their recent inconsistency.
Gasol, who leads the NBA with a career-best 50 double-doubles so far this year, is relishing the test ahead and called for his teammates to treat the game as if it were in the playoffs.
Given that these two are more than likely to cross paths in the post-season, it is certainly a preview of things to come for both the players and fans, and so both teams will be desperate to gain any advantage that they can this weekend.
LeBron James usually relishes this match-up as he is averaging 31.0 points per game in the three contests this year which is his second-best against a team from the East, and he will be itching to add to that impressive record against whoever is deployed to defend him.
Given current home form and the fact that coach David Blatt will have his ‘Big Three’ back together coupled with the role players who are becoming increasingly more important, the Cavs will be confident of claiming the W.
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