Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 21, 2017 ) Chicago 112, Cleveland 115

The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to complete a four-game sweep of Chicago for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign when they visit the Bulls on Saturday. Cleveland posted a victory in Chicago earlier this season for just the second time in the past nine games in the Windy City.

The Cavaliers are just 2-3 on a six-game road trip after suffering a 113-105 loss to the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, but coach Tyronn Lue remains encouraged. "Of course you want to win every game, but I think the way we played - blitzing the basketball, scrapping, competing," Lue told reporters after the contest. "This is a tough team that had won 10 in a row, so you can take some good things away from this game." Chicago is dealing with a tough season but has shown life by starting March with a 4-3 record as opposed to being one of the NBA teams focused on tanking. "I don't pay attention to any of that," rookie guard Antonio Blakeney said after Thursday's 111-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. "All I can worry about is going out there every day and playing hard and trying to play to win."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), NBCS Chicago

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (39-29): Cleveland is just 11-9 after losing All-Star power forward Kevin Love to a broken left hand and the lineup has constantly been changing due to other injuries. Power forward Larry Nance Jr. (hamsting) missed Thursday's loss, leaving the interior even further shorthanded with center Tristan Thompson (ankle) still sidelined. Swingman Rodney Hood (back) returned from a two-game absence to play 19 minutes against Portland and aggravated the injury, he is considered questionable for Saturday's game.

ABOUT THE BULLS (24-44): Shooting guard Zach LaVine scored 20 points in the victory over Memphis but is listed as questionable to play against the Cavaliers. LaVine is recently back from ACL surgery on his left knee so the team continues to be cautious whenever there is soreness, and the fourth-year guard is thankful for the support. "The community and the fans are great (in Chicago), they understand my situation coming off a tough injury and working myself back in," LaVine told reporters. "I've had ups and downs, but I have to fight through that. It's part of the process. It gets frustrating at times, but I'm always positive, and I work."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Cavaliers averaged 115.7 points while winning this season's first three meetings.

2. Cleveland F LeBron James recorded 35 points and 14 rebounds against Portland and has scored at least 24 points in each of the past 10 games.

3. Chicago PG Kris Dunn (toe) will sit out after being injured Thursday, while rookie PF Lauri Markkanen (back) will miss his third straight contest.

PREDICTION: Cavaliers 112, Bulls 104