This matchup between the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks looks to potentially be one that I’ll be looking forward to in years to come, with the way the Cavs have been playing and Milwaukee set to have staying power.
We know what the Bucks, last year’s champs, have, and they’ve won 8 of 12, and are playing solid ball. The Cavaliers have been playing lights out, having won five straight and nine of their last 11 games, also.
The Wine and Gold weathered the storm in a brutal first quarter-plus of the season, and although their opponents have been banged up and/or non-contenders in this win streak, they’ve put them away early. That’s been nice to see.
They’ll look to keep it going here in Milwaukee the second go-round, in which the Bucks are dealing with a number of guys being out, and this one being the second leg of a back-to-back for Milwaukee. The Bucks played at the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, which resulted in an overtime loss 116-112.
So, what do you have to know about this Cavs-Bucks matchup, and how to bet?
Quite frankly, with all of the players set to be out for the Bucks, I’d expect the Cavaliers to be having the clear upper hand here. The Bucks have several players either out, such as Brook Lopez still, or in the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Wesley Matthews, Bobby Portis and Donte DiVincenzo come to mind regarding protocols, and those are significant guys, and just Antetokounmpo likely out himself is a huge difference. Along with that, the shorthanded Bucks will be on the second night of a back-to-back, as we noted, so the Cavaliers should have an advantage heading in, with that OT game for the Bucks on Friday, too.
As of now, that’s with the Cavs not having other guys in protocols other than Isaac Okoro. We’ll have to see if that remains the case in coming days/looking onward; of course, given the Bucks and several other clubs’ situations, that might be wishful for Cleveland.
Cavaliers-Bucks: Odds, spread and over/under
At this point, the Cavs are favored by 2.5 points over the Bucks, according to our partners at WynnBet. That’s in relation to the injuries to the Bucks here, but with all the injuries/absences for Milwaukee, I see that as somewhat low, frankly.
As far as the over/under, that’s set for 108.5 for Cleveland and 106.0 for Milwaukee.
Cavs-Bucks: Projected starting lineups, injury report
Bucks starters: Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Jordan Nwora, Pat Connaughton, DeMarcus Cousins
Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Ricky Rubio/Cedi Osman, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Bucks’ key injuries: Brook Lopez (out, back); Wesley Matthews (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Giannis Antetokounmpo (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Bobby Portis (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Donte DiVincenzo (out, COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Semi Ojeleye (out, calf); Thanasis Antetokounmpo (out, calf); Khris Middleton (out, knee).
Cavs’ key injuries: Collin Sexton (out for the season, knee); Isaac Okoro (COVID-19 health and safety protocols); Evan Mobley (questionable, hip).
Cavaliers-Bucks: Prediction
For Garland and the Cavaliers, this should be a far different outcome than their first outing against the Bucks in Milwaukee. The Bucks won that one 112-104, but Milwaukee had control of that one much more throughout than the score necessarily indicated, and in this game, they’ll be without Antetokounmpo, Middleton and several others mentioned in the injury report.
If Cleveland contains the likes of Allen and Nwora on the perimeter, with the Cavs’ size, and I’d assume decisive rebounding advantage, I’d expect they could pull away pretty early in the second half here. Evan Mobley had been dealing with hip soreness, but that’s reportedly behind him it seems, from meaningful rest this week.
It’ll be tough to take much away from this game, leading into it, with Milwaukee being without so many rotational contributors. With the Bucks being severely shorthanded, and with the Cavs rolling, they should win here and by 10-plus once again.
Now, given the protocols absences, I just hope Cleveland can get out of this one without having others go into protocols themselves; that’ll probably be a common theme for a number of weeks, though.
Prediction: Cavs 116, Bucks 97
The Bet: Cavs (-2.5), UNDER
Cavs-Bucks: Where to watch
This game will be one that, similarly to the first matchup between Cleveland and Milwaukee, will be available via Bally Sports Ohio for those from the Cavs’ perspective. For those in the Bucks’ respective markets for regional viewership, this contest will be available via Bally Sports Wisconsin and Bally Sports North.
For those in other markets, this one can be viewed/streamed via NBA League Pass.
Cavaliers upcoming schedule:
Following this bout with the Bucks on Saturday, the Cavaliers will hop on a flight right after it to Atlanta to take on Trae Young, John Collins and the Hawks for the second leg of this road back-to-back on Sunday. The Hawks have had some notable injuries through the season so far, but they’re another club that is very capable of being a contender this year, and they have a ton of firepower; that’ll be another big test for the Cavs.
The Cavs will then hopefully be rested up for a Wednesday night tilt at the Boston Celtics, which will be the third and already final meeting of the season between those two postseason hopefuls, with the teams splitting the first two contests in Cleveland. And from there, the Cavs will be at home next Sunday for their second game versus the Toronto Raptors after being able to decompress a bit before hitting the road again; Cleveland clawed their way back in the first meeting in Toronto, landing an elusive win.