Starting Lineups, May 8: Paul in, J.R. returns, Shumpert starts
History suggests that Game 3 outcomes in 1-1 series are pivotal in ultimately deciding who will advance. Coming into 2014, 81.8 percent of teams that held a 2-1 series lead eventually moved on.
It goes without saying that Friday brings important games for the four teams in action.
The early game sees the Chicago Bulls host to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Chicago managed to steal Game 1, but the Cavaliers went big and roared back to take Game 2.
The headliner of Game 2 was an aggressive (and headbanded) LeBron James, who had 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists. But the unsung hero was Iman Shumpert, who poured in 15 points and seven rebounds while playing lockdown defense.
Shumpert sustained a groin injury in the game, and was initially unsure about Game 3, but he's decided to give it a go. He may not be at 100 percent, but, fortunately, the Cavs don't need him to be, as J.R. Smith will return from a two-game suspension.
It's unclear which of the two will draw the start, but Smith was huge against the Bulls in four contests this season, averaging 14.5 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from deep.
The late game sees the Los Angeles Clippers squaring off against the Houston Rockets. After dropping Game 1 in embarrassing fashion against the shorthanded Clippers, Houston made some key adjustments and won Game 2.
However, help will be on the way for Los Angeles, as Chris Paul is will make his return from a hamstring injury. Having Paul back - even in a limited capacity - should help the Clippers immensely.
For the Rockets, the key will be to stay focused. Houston's sturdy defense had come undone throughout the playoffs before finally tightening up in the second half of Game 2. The Rockets also need to improve upon their woeful free-throw shooting, as they shot just 56-of-88 (63.6 percent) from the stripe in Games 1 and 2.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls, 8 p.m. ET
| Position | Cavaliers | Bulls |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Kyrie Irving | Derrick Rose |
| SG | Iman Shumpert | Jimmy Butler |
| SF | LeBron James | Mike Dunleavy |
| PF | Tristan Thompson | Pau Gasol |
| C | Timofey Mozgov | Joakim Noah |
Cavaliers SG J.R. Smith will come off bench
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m. ET
| Position | Rockets | Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Jason Terry | Chris Paul |
| SG | James Harden | J.J. Redick |
| SF | Trevor Ariza | Matt Barnes |
| PF | Terrence Jones | Blake Griffin |
| C | Dwight Howard | DeAndre Jordan |
Clippers PG Chris Paul (hamstring) will play on a minutes restriction