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NBA Playoffs 2015: 10 reasons Chicago Bulls will beat Cleveland Cavaliers

By FanSided Staff

Feb 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 25, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau on the bench prior to the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau on the bench prior to the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Bulls Have More Depth

The Cleveland Cavs were not a deep team to begin with. Yes, they did have role players that could come off the bench and compliment LeBron’s style of play, but they don’t have versatility and depth on their bench. Especially now that Kevin Love and JR Smith will be missing.

Now that Tristan Thompson is the starter due to Love’s injury, Shawn Marion will be the go to back up man to fill in at power forward. Not only is the 36 year old 15 year veteran on the verge of retirement, but he has also averaged less than 20 minutes a game this season. I hardly think Marion is going to step up to the plate and produce like the Cavs need him too.

Then when you consider who Marion will have to guard on the opposing teams things start to look a little scarier. The young, athletic, and fierce Taj Gibson will be the Cavs worst nightmare if Marion guards him. Of course Tristan Thompson could play 40 minutes a game, but will that really hold up over a seven game series?

Probably not.

Not to mention the emergence of rookie forward Nikola Mirotic. Since Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler have seen their fair share of injuries this year, Mirotic has really come into his own as a scorer for the Bulls. Mirotic averaged just 10.2 points per game this season, but this number hardly speaks to what he is capable of on the offensive end.

The Bulls bench just has too many weapons. Despite having the best player in the NBA right now, the Cavs just won’t be able to handle it.

Cavaliers Response: Of all the factors in this series, this could be the worst that Cleveland has to deal with. There’s no denying the talent the Bulls have on the bench, or Tom Thibodeau’s uncanny ability to suck every last drop of ability out of his players in any given situation. Cleveland needs to be mindful of the Bulls bench, but let’s not forget that there is veteran talent on the Cavaliers bench and talent that has helped Miami Heat teams with weak depth win titles in very similar fashion. Read more reasons why Cavaliers will beat the Bulls here.

Next: Bulls Have More Hunger

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