Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Position-By-Position Preview For The Rest of the Series

Center: Pau Gasol vs Timofey Mozgov

May 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) drives against Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) in the fourth quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

If there was ever any doubt about the Bulls bringing in Pau Gasol- which there never  ever should have been by Bulls fans – those doubts were erased in Game 1.

The champion that Gasol is was on full display as he patiently tore up Mozgov and the Cavs in countless manners. In the third quarter, as the Cavaliers made a run to try and take a lead, Gasol kept the Bulls up hitting 6-7 shots for 13 points. He did the majority of his damage shooting jump shots from the free throw line as he and Rose played the pick-and-pop game to perfection.

Mozgov and Thompson were unable to recover fast enough to contend Gasol’s shot. That will be a huge advantage for the Bulls as the Cavs don’t have anyone who can defend Gasol’s mid-range shots while helping on Rose’s drives at the same time. If they choose to double him like the Bucks did, they risk getting demolished by the Bulls’ beautiful ball movement they’ve employed these last two games.

Mozgov on the other hand is a non-factor for he Cavs on the offensive end and cannot take advantage of Gasol’s defensive ineptitude. The Cavs were able to exploit Gasol by getting him in the pick-and-roll but the baskets they scored on those still had to be miraculous scoop shots by Irving.

Needless to say, Pau should have an excellent series and play a huge part in the Bulls’ potential advancement into the Eastern Conference Finals.

Advantage: Pau Gasol

Next: Bench vs Bench