Cavaliers at Bulls
THE STORY: Despite clinching the top seed in the East, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau expects to finish the season Thursday playing his starters big minutes. The Cavaliers are in the race for the top pick in the draft and are going the other direction, benching top rookie Kyrie Irving for the finale. The Bulls can clinch home-court advantage through the NBA Finals with a victory or a Spurs loss.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, Comcast
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (21-44): Irving played less than 10 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Wizards. The Cavaliers cited a “stomach flu” for Irving and coach Byron Scott said he would sit the finale as a preventative measure, since he recently returned from a sprained shoulder. Alonzo Gee was the only starter to play more than 20 minutes on Wednesday and Scott intends to handle the finale much the same way, playing plenty of reserves and fringe NBA guys so the Cavaliers can get a better look at candidates for next season.
ABOUT THE BULLS (49-16): The Bulls’ regular starting lineup has only played 15 games together, which is a big reason why Thibodeau refuses to bench his starters despite clinching the top seed in the East for the second consecutive season. Derrick Rose has missed 26 games this season to various injuries, most recently to his right ankle and foot. Ensuring Rose is healthy and in rhythm for the playoffs will likely be Chicago’s top priority.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Bulls will open the first round of the playoffs against the 76ers unless Philadelphia beats Detroit and New York loses in Charlotte on Thursday, in which case the Bulls would host the Knicks.
2. Cavaliers rookie D.J. Kennedy, signed out of the Development League last week, made his NBA debut and scored a team-high 12 points in 31 minutes in Wednesday’s loss.
3. Antawn Jamison, a free agent after the season, said after Wednesday’s loss he will not return to Cleveland. “It’s time to move on,” he said. “I definitely have a great feeling this will be my last game as a Cav.”