The NBA playoffs standings has the Chicago Bulls into the second round after a huge win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 to win the first round series 4-2 and they will now face the Cleveland Cavaliers next and this comes as the LA Clippers have forced Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles.
The Bulls won against the Bucks after a huge performance from the team, winning the game 120-66 in Game 6 to take the series 4-2. The team stormed out to a 34-16 lead in the first quarter and they held the Bucks to less than 20 points in each of the four quarters of the game and now the series is done. Derrick Rose looked very good overall and he had seven assists, while Mike Dunleavy led the Bulls with 20 points.
The Clippers won on the road and bounced back from the disappointing Game 5 loss and now they have forced a Game 7 against the Spurs. The matchup will be in Los Angeles and comes with the series tied 3-3 after the team won in San Antonio. The Clippers got 26 points from Blake Griffin, 14 rebounds from DeAndre Jordan and 15 assists from point guard Chris Paul in the win.
The Clippers now have to win on the road to take the series and the Spurs will have to bounce back after losing 102-96 in the Game 6 matchup. The game 7 matchup will end the first round of the playoffs and the Grizzlies are through to the next stage in the West along with the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. In the east, the Bulls and Cavaliers play, while the Wizards wait for the Hawks and Nets to finish.
The Cavaliers and the Bulls could be one of the best series in the playoffs, as the two teams are in the same division and are considered to be the "best" in the conference. The Atlanta Hawks are the number one team, but coming into the season many predicted that it would come down to the Bulls and Cavs in the east. Clearly that can't happen since they are playing in the second round, but the Bulls should be a tough test for the Cavaliers.
Cleveland has to deal with life without Kevin Love and that injury could be the advantage that the Bulls need to win. The Bulls have size with Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic and the Cavs being without Love could be huge for the series. Love is officially out now, as he needed shoulder surgery and now will miss the second round and the rest of the playoffs. Love was injured in the clinching game against the Celtics after getting tangled up with Kelly Olynyk.
LeBron James and the Cavs now have to try and win out without Love in the lineup. The Hawks took care of business against the Nets and now they can close things out and they will matchup against the Wizards in the next round if they advance. The Cavaliers are still considered the favorites in the east, but after the performance by the Bulls on Thursday, things should be tight in the next series.
Check here for the NBA Playoffs Standings, results and schedule.
