While the Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched a playoff spot and the much of the basketball world pays attention to March Madness, the Cavs still have work to do. Today Cavs Vs Bucks still has meaning as the two playoff contenders square off in a early Sunday afternoon tip, 3 PM. The Milwaukee Bucks are in a free fall, losing 5 straight and 8 out of their last 10. The Cavs on the other hand have won 2 straight and 8 out of their last 10.
Cavs Vs Bucks has meaning for a variety of reasons but three that we think are most important to point out:
Cavs Health
Whether it is LeBron James back, knee or wrist, Kevin Love‘s back or just need for rest, Shawn Marion‘s hip, Mike Miller concussion or Kyrie Irving‘s shoulder, the Cavs have been hit hard by injuries this year. That is far more likely with a veteran team as well as Love and Irving already having injury issues early in their career.
Today’s game against the Bucks is another one on the road to the playoffs. The result of the game is important but keeping players healthy and in a groove is far more important. Process over outcome has to be the Cavs thought process.
Role Players
The Cavs have gotten good production from Iman Shumpert and Tristan Thompson most of the year. It is the Cavs other role players that can use this end of year stretch to find their rhythm. Matthew Dellavedova has had his ups and downs. James Jones went from not playing to an important guy off the bench. Marion’s hip limited him and the Cavs must find a way to get him up to speed. Mike Miller could be huge in the playoffs but has shown little that this year he has it in him.
The Cavs role players will be vital in early round series. If the Cavs can count on some of them to give good minutes, the team’s starters can play reasonable minutes. If David Blatt has to heavily rely on his starters and a short bench, the Cavs could run out of steam in either the Eastern Conference or NBA Finals.
Seeding
The Cavs are up 3 games on both the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls. Both of those teams have gone 4 – 6 in their last 10 and are now at risk of getting passed by the Washington Wizards. The Cavs haven’t sown up the 2 seed but have created some distance there. A few more wins, coupled with a few losses for the Raptors and Bulls, should end that competition.
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
Today’s Cavs Vs Bucks game matters far more because of the Bucks. They currently sit in the 6th seed but are only 1.5 games up on the Miami Heat. The Cavs currently are in line to face the Heat in the 1st round of the Playoffs. Without Chris Bosh the Heat are not a big risk to beat the Cavs but the emotional piece of that series could be draining. The Bucks on the other hand have fallen off after trading Brandon Knight. Michael Carter-Williams can’t shoot and that has created spacing issues for the team. The Bucks would be a much better match-up in the 1st round for the Cavs. Let someone else dispatch of the Heat.
What other reasons do you see today’s Cavs Vs Bucks game as important?