Everyone in the 2nd half was dead.
Not JR. Smith. It's been the same story with Dunleavy and Niko all series. And Dunleavys a starter. He didn't have a bad game 3. I think he was 3/5 but it was a quiet 3/5 and kind of non descript, as it was also a small sample size. Nothing yesterday.
As much as people complained about Bogans, he didn't go 1/9 because he didn't take that many shots. And his defense was reliable. People talk about playing 4 on 5 because they're not happy with Noahs offense but it's really been 3 on 5 and at least Noah brings defense and rebounding. What's Dunleavy bringing to the table.
All of Chicago's so called perimeter shooters have been outperformed by about 3 guys on Cleveland. And Sumpert is one of those three. During game 2, whenever the Bulls would cut into their lead, Shumpert hit multiple threes to pour cold water on any comeback. His shooting in that single game is more significant than anything the Bulls perimeter shooters have done so far.
Honestly, Rose and Butler have been the best 3pt shooters. They've hit big threes but have contributed in other ways too, obviously. But they've also kind of played within themselves with the 3s. And if they have taken more than they should have, it's likely because Dunleavy has no showed.
Dunleavy and Niko combined for 2/16 yesterday. Imagine how much it would have impacted the game if they make two --or even one--more 3 within the 16 shots they took. And had they made two more shots, they would have still only been at 25% combined, which is also pathetic. Nevertheless the Bulls likely win the game if they only shoot 25% instead of their 12.5%.
And if they don't hit open shots, which the largely were, Cleveland can clog the paint.
The Bulls have largely outplayed the Cavs but the series is tied because Cleveland has had role players contribute outside shooting when it mattered and the Bulls haven't.
