OTHER DROP DOWN

LeBron leads Cavs into Chicago, with JR Smith joining him

May 7, 2015, 11:18 PM

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) tries to knock the ball loose from Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

(23)

The statue outside is of Michael Jordan. The court inside, come playoff time, has often belonged to LeBron James.

James is headed back to Chicago — with J.R. Smith joining him for the first time in the series — when the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Bulls tonight in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Los Angeles Clippers host the Houston Rockets in the other game on the NBA’s playoff schedule after a league-wide night off Thursday. That series is tied 1-1.

So is the East series after James had 33 points and eight rebounds Wednesday night in Cleveland’s 106-91 victory. The Cavaliers will have to win in Chicago after losing home-court advantage by dropping the series opener, and James has often been up to the task.

His teams are 5-2 at the United Center in the postseason, with James averaging 28.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists, according to STATS. That includes a series victory with the Cavs in 2010 and two with Miami.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge, like we do every night. We know it’s going to be a tough environment,” James said after Game 2.

“These guys don’t particularly know,” he said about his inexperienced Cavs teammates, “but I’ve been there before and I know how hard it is to win in that building. Those fans are amazing and they feed off their crowd and they play exceptional basketball at home, so we have to be just as good as we were tonight.”

Smith could help with that. Suspended for the first two games of the series for striking Boston’s Jae Crowder in Game 4 of the Cavs’ first-round sweep, he hasn’t played since April 26, though Cavs coach David Blatt isn’t worried that having to reintegrate him will be a problem.

“Absolutely it’s an addition and a positive one. To that, there’s no negative side,” Blatt said. “We’re getting one of our main guys back, a guy who knows how to play, a guy who’s been a big contributor and a guy who fits in with us. I don’t see any negative in that, only a positive.”

A look at the two games:

___

Cavaliers at Bulls, tied 1-1, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN

Blatt said Iman Shumpert, who injured his groin in Game 2, was feeling better Thursday and was hopeful of playing. He said Shumpert’s health could determine if he remains in the starting lineup or if Smith reclaims his spot.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau seems committed to keeping his lineup as is, even with center Joakim Noah struggling. Noah is 1 for 14 from the free throw line in the postseason and Thibodeau was asked Thursday if he would consider starting backup forward Taj Gibson instead.

“Not right now,” Thibodeau said. “When Jo was on the floor, we were a plus. You’ve got to look at a lot of things. We’ll see how it unfolds, but Jo brings a lot to our team.”

Noah is leading the Bulls with 10.8 rebounds per game in the postseason and said his free-throw woes haven’t become a mental thing.

“It’s disappointing,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep working and make them tomorrow.”

___

Rockets at Clippers, tied 1-1, 10:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN

Chris Paul tested his injured hamstring on the court Thursday, though it’s still unknown if he can play Friday in the first game at Staples Center since his series-winning shot against San Antonio last Saturday in Game 7.

“My guess is it’s going to come down to the eye and feel test. With hamstrings, there really is no gauge,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

The Clippers took the opener in Houston without Paul and had a nine-point lead at halftime of Game 2 before the Rockets surged ahead behind James Harden’s big fourth quarter and won 115-109.

“We’ve got momentum,” Harden said. “That second half we played extremely well and we’re going to take this momentum and take it into Game 3. It’s going to be a great test for us.”

If Paul can’t play, the pressure remains on Blake Griffin, who was dominant in the first three halves without his point guard but seemed to wear down in the second half of Game 2. He had only eight points after scoring 26 before the break.

“In the first half, he got what he wanted. In the second half, we made it a little more difficult for him,” Rockets center Dwight Howard said. “He’s a terrific scorer, especially in the open court. We just have to do a better job of fighting for 48 minutes and not allowing him to have those big games.”

___

AP Sports Writers Tom Withers in Cleveland, Andrew Seligman in Chicago, Beth Harris in Los Angeles and Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Other Drop Down

FILE – In this July 25, 2015 file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak...

Arizona Sports

Trump hosts Women’s British Open as Park resumes slam quest

Inbee Park resuming her quest for the career Grand Slam. Teenage prodigy Lydia Ko seeking that elusive first major. Michelle Wie going for victory with an injured left foot.

9 years ago

Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, right, motions to Democratic Reps., from left: Peter Barca; ...

Arizona Sports

Wisconsin Assembly approves Milwaukee Bucks arena deal

The Wisconsin state Assembly voted Tuesday to spend $250 million in public funds on a new arena for the Milwaukee Bucks, a deal that both Republicans and Democrats lauded as good for the state and city.

9 years ago

FILE-In this Nov. 13, 2014 file photo former PGA golfer Charlie Sifford sits in the dining room in ...

Arizona Sports

Family of late black golf great accused of $1 million theft

The son and ex-daughter-in-law of late black golf pioneer Charlie Sifford were indicted Tuesday on charges they stole more than $1 million from him.

9 years ago

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the 18th hole during a practice round for the Quicken Loans Nat...

Arizona Sports

Michelle Wie limps into her next major

that matched her best result of the year -- she developed a bone spur in her left foot that she attributed to the hilly terrain of Lancaster Country Club.

9 years ago

Lexi Thompson holds the trophy after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic golf tournament Sunday, July 2...

Arizona Sports

Golf’s youth movement means 30 is the new 20

a major -- from an otherwise remarkable record. Ko had never missed the cut in her career until that week at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. A month later, she was never in contention at the U.S. Women's Open.

9 years ago

Tiger Woods smiles as he answers a question during a news conference prior to the start of the Quic...

Arizona Sports

Tiger Woods running out of chances to salvage season

Tiger Woods knows he's played poorly over the past two years. Now, he's facing the prospect of an early end to his season.

9 years ago

LeBron leads Cavs into Chicago, with JR Smith joining him