For these playoff previews we are going to take a look at each team individually, and then we are going to look at the match-up.

The Chicago Bulls looked they were out of the playoffs a couple weeks ago, but after a few key Raptors broke their faces, the Bulls played their way into the final seed of the playoffs.  Their reward?  The Cleveland Cavaliers, who will be playing LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers

Strengths

What the Cavs do well.

• Movement without the basketball
• Defense
• Bench Play
• LeBron James

Weaknesses

Some problems the Cavs struggle with

• Rely on LeBron a little too much late
• LeBron’s shot selection late
• Guardplay other than LeBron

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Cavs play.

• When Shaq enters the game, they like to immediately go to him a couple possessions in a row to get him in the flow of the game.
• The Cavs love running misdirection plays.  They like to use the attention created by LeBron to set up off the ball screens and create easy looks for everyone.

Key Set

Not the most run set, but maybe most important.  A play that the team likes to run when they need a basket.  You are probably going to see this play run once or twice a game.

• Pick & Roll As A Decoy

The Cavs love to run this play two or three times a game and for some reason it always seems to work.  The reason why it works is because defenders always try to deny LeBron, no matter how far away from the basket he is.  When his defenders are doing this, they never see the backscreen coming and LeBron just comes off of it wide open for the dunk.

Chicago Bulls

Strengths

What the Bulls do well.

• Guard play
• Outside shooting
• Pick and roll
  

Weaknesses

Some problems the Bulls struggle with

• Lack of production from bigs not named Joakim Noah
• Interior defense

Tendencies

Some things you are going to notice when watching the Bulls play.

• Love to settle for jumpers. If they are hitting them, you could be in trouble.  If not, they aren’t going to score much.
• If Joakim Noah get going and starts making plays, it kind of gets everyone else going.
• If the ball is in Derrick Rose’s hands, the Bulls are a threat to score.

Key Set

Not the most run set, but maybe most important.  A play that the team likes to run when they need a basket.  You are probably going to see this play run once or twice a game.

• Straight Pick And Roll

When the Bulls aren’t hitting their shots, they like to go to the simple pick and roll, and who can blame them?  With the Ball in Derrick Rose’s hands they always have a chance to get a bucket.  Then insert Noah as the pick setter, and you force the defense to make a decision.  Help on the screen and leave Noah on the roll, or fight through the screen and take your chances with Rose.

Key Matchup

Derrick Rose vs. Mo Williams

I could have picked LeBron vs. whoever is guarding him, but he is going to get his no matter what.  If Mo Williams goes off too, the Bulls have no chance, which is why Rose needs to contain him.   On the other end, if Williams can stop Rose, they basically take away a big part of the Bulls offense.

My Prediction

Cavs In 5

I was going to go with the sweep here, but I just think that the Bulls will have one game in Chicago where everything is clicking and maybe they are able to steal a game.  Besides that game though, the Cavs are going to run away with this one.