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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Game 66: Cavs at Bulls

CHICAGO BULLS (50-16) 107, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (21-45) 75
United Center
Thursday
Radio/TV: WTAM (1100 AM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: Finally! It's over. The 2011-12 season came to an end. Thank goodness. The last quarter of the season has been almost unwatchable.

Now, we can move onto the important stuff: the NBA draft.

We're scheduled to hear from the players on Friday, along with Coach Byron Scott and General Manager Chris Grant. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say about Brandon Weeden. Oh, wait, that's the Browns. Sorry.

The Cavs won just 21 games this year and lost their last four. If not for the injuries, they might have been a playoff contender. We'll never know for sure.

They held guard Kyrie Irving out of the game on Thursday in the season finale. They wanted to make sure they didn't win. They can finish no lower than fifth in the draft heading into the May 30 draft lottery.

The Bulls were tied with San Antonio for the best record in the NBA. The Spurs played at Golden State late Thursday. The Bulls are 50-16. The Spurs have to win to tie for the top spot.

The Bulls finished the season with a three-game winning streak. They've had their way with the Cavs this season, winning the three games by a combined 92 points. Overall, they've won the last nine games against the Cavs, including their last four at the United Center.

The Bulls want to build some continuity heading into their first-round playoff matchup against Philadelphia on Saturday at home. Coach Tom Thibodeau rested guard Derrick Rose on Thursday.

Thibodeau, by the way, is going to get quite a few Coach of the Year honors. He won the award last season.

This has been a long, long season for the Cavs. They won two more games than last year, even though it was a shortened season. If healthy, this team is not bad. Add a couple pieces to the mix and it could be a playoff contender. 

MILESTONE: Cavs forward Luke Walton played 367 minutes this year and didn't attempt a free throw. That set an NBA record.

Forward Omri Casspi hurt his knee in warmups and was held out of the game. It was the only game he missed the entire season.

UP NEXT: The 2012-13 season.


STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Luol Deng (6-9, 220)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Carlos Boozer (6-9, 266)
C Tristan Thompson (6-9, 227) vs. Joakim Noah (6-11, 232)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Rip Hamilton (6-7, 193)
PG Donald Sloan (6-3, 205) vs. C.J. Watson (6-2, 190) 
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – G Daniel Gibson, C Semih Erden
Bulls - F Brian Scalabrine 
OFFICIALS
Marc Davis, Mark Lindsay, Haywoode Workman




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