Tip-off: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Cleveland -5.5, Total: 210.0

The Cavaliers will be looking to get back on track with a victory over the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday.

Cleveland is coming off of an embarrassing loss to San Antonio, as the Cavaliers lost 103-74 as a five-point road underdog in that game on Monday. The Cavaliers had just lost by double digits to the Wizards in Cleveland, and they have now dropped three of their past four both SU and ATS. The Cavaliers have also failed to cover in five of their past six. The Bulls, meanwhile, are playing some solid basketball right now. Chicago has won three of its past five games, and the team has covered in five of its past six. The offense has really been clicking lately, as the Bulls have shot 45.0% or better from the floor in five of their past six games. They now face a Cleveland team that they are 3-0 both SU and ATS against this season. One trend that does favor the Cavs is the fact that they are 33-15 ATS when playing only their second game in five days over the past two seasons. The Cavaliers are, however, just 1-9 ATS after scoring 85 points or less over the past two seasons. SG Kyle Korver (Foot) is out indefinitely for Cleveland, and SG Dwyane Wade (Elbow) is out for the season for Chicago.

SF LeBron James (26.0 PPG, 8.8 APG, 8.4 RPG, 1.2 SPG) hurt his neck against the Spurs, but he will be back out there on Thursday against the Bulls. James is averaging 25.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 7.8 APG over the past five games. He should be better in the coming weeks, as James knows his team is struggling and is aware that he needs to begin to lead by example. It also helps that he is averaging 29.0 PPG and 10.0 APG against Chicago this season, so he’ll be confident in his ability to turn it around starting Thursday. James does, however, need help from both PG Kyrie Irving (25.3 PPG, 5.7 APG, 1.2 SPG) and PF Kevin Love (19.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG). Irving was down after shooting just 4-for-13 from the floor in a loss to the Spurs on Monday, so he stayed and shot around after the game. Look for him to get back on track on Thursday, as he is averaging 27.0 PPG in two meetings with Chicago this season. Love will also need to be better, as he has failed to score in double digits in two of the past four games.

The Bulls are playing well right now and PG Rajon Rondo (7.5 PPG, 6.5 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.4 SPG) is a big reason for that. Rondo has recently seen a major increase in minutes, and he is averaging 11.2 PPG, 7.2 APG, 4.4 RPG and 2.0 SPG over the past five contests. Rondo also happens to be shooting the ball extremely well, as he is hitting 50.0% of his threes over the past five. One guy that has benefitted from Rondo’s ability to move the ball is PF Nikola Mirotic (10.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG). Over the past three games, Mirotic is averaging 23.6 PPG. He is a ridiculous 28-for-40 from the floor and 14-for-21 from three in those games, and he should be able to keep up the hot shooting moving forward. The Bulls also continue to get some excellent play out of SF Jimmy Butler (23.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1.9 SPG). Over the past five games, Butler is averaging 26.4 PPG, 10.0 APG, 6.4 RPG and 2.4 SPG. He is one of the best two-way players in basketball, and he will need to play well against LeBron James on Thursday.