Chicago Bulls: 5 Keys To Forcing A Game 7
4. Pau Gasol Returning
A bit obvious perhaps, but this may become even more relevant should the NBA do the unthinkable and suspend Taj Gibson a game for his “kick” at Matthew Dellavedova in Game 5 that earned him a Flagrant 2 — an especially interesting verdict since Delly was the one who tripped him by intentionally locking his legs around Gibson’s leg — the Bulls will need Gasol active.
In any event, the Bulls can’t complain too much about injuries since the Cavs are missing Kevin Love and playing with a banged up Kyrie Irving. (Sorry LeBron, I’m not buying the severity of your ankle injury after that masterful Game 5. You are, and always will be, a cyborg who is impervious to human pain.)
But we shouldn’t act like the Cavs are miraculously in front since Chicago is also missing a go-to scorer and post presence in Pau Gasol. The Bulls’ offense was already prone to dry spells with Gasol, so missing him for the last two games (both losses) is obviously huge. Chicago went 2-1 to start the series with Boom Boom Pau on the floor.
Bulls miss Gasol in a lot of areas -- but these scoring droughts are where it's most evident. They can't dump it down to him a get a bucket.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 13, 2015
If Taj Gibson is suspended for Game 6 (or even if he isn’t), the Bulls need Gasol to not only play, but to fully conquer this hamstring injury. Otherwise, every Chicago fans’ face will look something like this all summer:
Next: No. 3