Derrick Rose's answered prayer of a banked three-pointer put the Bulls up 2-1 on Friday. With another game at home, Chicago could strike early and put the Cavaliers in a precarious position with a win on Sunday.
NBA playoff schedule 2015: Bulls face Cavaliers, Clippers take on Rockets
Chicago and Los Angeles are both up 2-1 thanks to a Derrick Rose buzzer beater and an Austin Rivers explosion, respectively.
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Like Game 3, it won't come easily. Both teams shot under 40 percent on Friday, but Cleveland stayed afloat with 14 three-pointers. They're still adjusting to life with Kevin Love. LeBron James is dominating the ball and putting up stats (27 points, 14 assists), but it's not coming easily or efficiently. In that game, he committed seven turnovers and shot 8-of-25 from the floor.
The struggling Joakim Noah saw his minutes reduced down to 22, equaling Taj Gibson (23) and Nikola Mirotic off the bench (23). The Bulls may need to limit Noah even more, because he's having trouble doing anything but rebound on the floor in these playoffs.
The second game of the night features the Clippers, who welcomed Chris Paul back into the fold but got even more production out of his backup. Austin Rivers came alive on Friday for 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting while J.J. Redick poured in 31 during a 25-point blowout.
Things look grim for Houston. It could only beat Los Angeles once in two tries at home despite Paul missing both games. Now that Paul's back -- and he still doesn't quite look right, but he scored 12 and dished seven assists in his return -- the Rockets have to get this game or this series may be effectively over.
Schedule for Sunday (all times Eastern)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers, 8:30 p.m. (TNT)
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