NBA Playoffs Betting Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

How They Got Here: It took a solid run in the last few weeks of the season, including a monstrous 104-88 win in Toronto to get into the playoffs, but somehow, the Bulls found a way to get to .500 and get the job done. Chicago was a borderline playoff team for most of the season, and no one has high expectations of it.
Player To Watch: Remember when the world was introduced to G Derrick Rose last year when he scored 36 points in a Game 1 triumph over the Boston Celtics? The Bulls did go on to lose that series, but now, Rose is the top scorer on this very young team at 20.8 points per game, and he can take over a contest by himself if need be.
X-Factor: C Brad Miller coming off of the bench could be the man to neutralize the centers for the Cavs. He’ll be asked to battle with both C Shaquille O’Neal and C Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the post. Even though Miller only picked up 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, he could be the man that makes the difference for Chicago.
Key To Victory: Winning the rebounding battle night in and night out is the only hope for the Bulls in this series. They need to find a way to win in the frontcourt, because there are inevitably going to be games where LeBron just takes over and can’t be stopped. Chicago is going to have to pick up four very businesslike victories to have a chance.

Cleveland Cavaliers

How They Got Here: The behemoths of the NBA really took flight after F Antawn Jamison came to town. Things got so good for the Cavs that they were able to really rest everyone on their roster for full games if they so chose, which is why F LeBron James was able to take a few nights off as Cleveland prepared for the bulls-eye that is now on its back being the top dog in this tournament.
Player To Watch: We’d be foolish if we didn’t list F LeBron James here. All King James did this season was score 29.7 points, bring down 7.3 rebounds, dish out 8.6 assists, swipe 1.6 passes, and block one shot per game in 2009-10. Ho hum. There’s simply no equal that Chicago has that can keep up with LeBron.
X-Factor: Free throw shooting is the only thing that could keep the Cavs from marching through this series with ease. At 72.0 percent, Cleveland is the worst free throw shooting team in the league. It’s not a positive X-Factor to say the least, but the Cavaliers must avoid becoming their own worst enemy to advance.
Key To Victory: Just keep doing what you did all season long, Cleveland. That should easily be enough to get the Cavs through, even if by chance they do slip up in a game or two in this series.

The Final Word: It doesn’t seem likely at all that the Bulls will be able to do too much damage in this series. Unless Chicago catches the Cavs napping in Game 1, there’s probably no hope. Just coming away with one win could be a triumph for HC Vinny Del Negro and his Baby Bulls no matter what they were able to do last year in forcing the Celtics to seven games in Round 1.