The Chicago Bulls play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday in the conference semifinals of the 2015 NBA playoffs. Game 1 tips off at 7 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream or listen to the radio broadcast via the links provided below.
Cleveland opens its second-round series on Monday against Chicago. Unfortunately, the Cavaliers will be undermanned. Kevin Love is likely out for the season with a shoulder injury, and J.R. Smith is out Games 1 and 2 because of a suspension. Despite the absence of two starters, though, superstar LeBron James isn't worried.
"Nah, we're not vulnerable at all," he told the Associated Press. "It's just basketball. You go out and play, you try to win and give it your best shot."
Cleveland's second-round series is expected to be much more physical than its first-round series against the Boston Celtics. James has played the Bulls before in the playoffs, and although he's had success against them, he knows the team he'll face Monday night won't be the same team he's won against in the previous postseasons.
"Every year is different," he said. "Yes, I've had success but that doesn't mean anything today. My approach is always the same but every playoff run is different and for me I have to make sure myself and my guys are ready for a very, very competitive and well-coached ball club."
Although Chicago finally has Derrick Rose available for in the postseason for the first time since 2012, the key to winning against a James-led team is still limiting the damage done by James.
"The only thing you can do with him is try to make him work for his points," said Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. "You can't really give him a steady diet of anything. You have to mix it up on him. The thing that makes him who he is he can beat you a lot of different ways. It's not only his scoring. It's his passing. He's seen every type of defense there is."
Watch the live stream HERE, or listen to the radio broadcast HERE (CHI) and HERE (CLE).
