3 Bold Predictions For The Cavs-Bulls Series

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls are preparing to start an intriguing Eastern Conference Semifinals series, and there’s plenty to like about this classic battle between two teams at the top of their games. Here’s our list of 3 Bold Predictions For The Cavaliers vs. Bulls Series:

1) Derrick Rose will look like his old self all series

Rose has looked like his old MVP self in flashes all season, but was unable to sustain that production all series against the Bucks. Now against the Cavs, he'll be extremely motivated to show what he has left in the tank against LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.

2) LeBron James and Kyrie Irving will each average 45 minutes a game or more

With Kevin Love's injury keeping him out of the rest of the postseason and J.R. Smith's two-game suspension for punching Boston's Jae Crowder, the Cavaliers are going to have to rely even more on their two All-Stars. James (43.0) and Irving (40.5) are already two of the most used players in the postseason, and those numbers will only go way up from here.

3) This series will go to a Game 7

Cleveland was the favorite to win this series with Love, but the series is now a toss up with him out and J.R. Smith's suspension. Cleveland is one of the best home teams in the league (they've lost just one home game since January 7), so they should be able to win at least one of those first two games. On the other hand, Chicago has a minimal home court advantage, so it'll be easy for the Cavs to get that game back. 

Derrick Rose and Kyrie Irving will cancel each other out, and the combination of Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol can match LeBron James' production. In a series this evenly matched, it seems like a Game 7 is a foregone conclusion.