Mannix: 'Chicago's Series to Lose'
The Cavaliers stole Game 4 in emphatic fashion behind LeBron James' game-winning jumper from the corner with no ticks remaining.
That didn't stop the heat from hitting David Blatt on Monday.
In the final minute, the Cavs' rookie head coach attempted to call a timeout he didn't have (only the official didn't see it) and drew up the final play for LeBron to inbound the ball.
Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix joined the Joe Rose Show to break down Blatt's perplexing decisions what bodes for what's been a highly entertaining series.
"The out-of-bounds play -- I mean I disagree with it -- I thought you should've had LeBron having the ball no matter what but stuff like that happens a lot," Mannix said on 560 WQAM. "Where a play is not designed for Player X but Player X will say 'just give me the damn ball and get out of the way.' Jordan did it many times with Doug Collins and then Phil Jackson so that's not the worst thing in the world, but the timeouts -- you've got to be aware of what your timeout situation is late in games and not cause chaos amongst your players by signaling for one that most of them know you probably don't have."
The 2-2 series heads back to Cleveland for Game 5 tonight. Despite their injuries and collapse in Game 4, Mannix likes the Bulls' chances.
"I still think this is Chicago's series to lose even with homecourt advantage shifting back to Cleveland," Mannix said. "And they've got to find a way, speaking of injury, to get Pau Gasol back on the court. I mean they can't get anything from Joakim Noah right now from the center position offensively. He is just straight backboarding layups.
"As crazy as it sounds, Derrick Rose is like the healthiest guy on the floor in a lot of these situations right now."
