Fansided

Pau Gasol out for Game 5 vs Cavaliers

By Charles Rahrig V

May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) complains to the referees about a call during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) complains to the referees about a call during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With the Bulls playing the biggest game of their postseason thus far, they will be without Pau Gasol for Game 5

The series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls has been nothing short of a fight. Sunday, the Bulls missed Pau Gasol in Game 4 as he sat out with a hamstring strain. They ended up losing a close one at the buzzer.

Now with a pivotal Game 5 in Cleveland on Tuesday night, the team will be without Gasol again when the two teams tip off.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed that Gasol wouldn’t be playing.

Strangely, Chicago has been more productive with Gasol off the court this series. The team’s numbers per 100 possessions have been remarkably improved and Taj Gibson has been a thorn in the side of Cleveland.

While Chicago certainly misses the offensive plays that Gasol can make out of the post, the toughness and tenacity that Gibson brings in return matches up well against Tristan Thompson, who has been a monster on the offensive glass for the Cavaliers.

The Bulls will also be able to use rookie Nikola Mirotic more. Mirotic has an ability to stretch the floor and force Cleveland to defend the perimeter. While losing Gasol certainly hurts because of his size and experience, the Bulls have the best depth in the league and can do a variety of things with the guys they have behind Gasol.

Tonight will be the turning point in the series and the team that takes a 3-2 advantage in a series tends to win a majority.

LeBron is amped and a madman after hitting a buzzer beater the other night. The Bulls will need to match his intensity on the court, something they have had no problem doing.

The problem is that they will be without their big man.

(H/T: ProBasketballTalk)

More from FanSided

Home/Chicago Bulls