May 08--Iman Shumpert is a gametime decision with his groin injury. J.R. Smith is back from his suspension. And LeBron James remains really, really good.
The Bulls know James and Kyrie Irving are good enough to do damage no matter what they do defensively. What could turn Game 3 is the Bulls' ability to limit damage from others, particularly the 3-point shot.
James Jones sank five 3-pointers in Game 2. Shumpert has four in each of the first two games. And Smith hurt the Bulls badly from beyond the arc in two regular-season meetings, including setting an NBA record with eight made 3-pointers without a two-point attempt.
"It's the normal course of action. It's transition 3s and offensive rebound 3s," coach Tom Thibodeau said of the Cavaliers' barrage in Game 2. "That's what we have to do better. We gotta get out to them and challenge. You get a lot of that in transition. That's where it has to be better."
Offensively, the Bulls hope Derrick Rose can finally get to the free-throw line. He hasn't been there in three games dating to the clinching victory over the Bucks. Irving has 21 attempts.
In a light-hearted moment, Thibodeau made a reporter repeat a question three times about Rose not getting to the line yet. Finally, Thibodeau said, "thank you."
