Cleveland Cavaliers Game Tonight: Cavs vs Bucks Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV channel for Nov. 16

The early part of an NBA season can be hard to evaluate, with small sample sizes mixing with the outsized impact of players missing time. The Milwaukee Bucks look good, and were supposed to be great. The Cleveland Cavaliers look great, and were supposed to be good. Who is truly the better team?

That question won’t be answered when the two teams meet on Wednesday night, not with multiple All-Stars missing the game. It will be revealing to see some of the strategy involved. How do the Cavs look to slow Giannis Antetekounmpo without Jarrett Allen? Can the Bucks’ offense keep up with Darius Garland, who just dropped 51 points on Sunday? There will be plenty to watch when the game kicks off tonight.

Betting odds, spread, over/under

The line on this game is going to continue to move as it’s confirmed who is playing. Right now the Bucks are favored by 4.0 points, and the over/under point total is set to 220.0, per WynnBet.

Cavs injury report

Jarrett Allen (out, ankle); Dean Wade (doubtful, knee); Donovan Mitchell (questionable, ankle); Dylan Windler (out, ankle); Ricky Rubio (out indefinitely, knee)

Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup tonight

Cavs: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, Evan Mobley, Robin Lopez

Bucks: Jrue Holiday, Jevon Carter, Marchon Beauchamp, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez

Prediction

This matchup would be incredible if everyone was playing. The Bucks have revamped their defensive approach this season, staying home on shooters to depress opponent 3-point attempts and allow Splash Mountain himself Brook Lopez to wall off the rim. The Cavs have been one of the league’s best shooting teams, and they also have the bigs to threaten Lopez inside.

On the other end of the court, Cleveland is one of the few teams who have the size to properly wall off the paint against Giannis Antetokounmpo. To gain the advantage Milwaukee would need Jrue Holiday to take on a larger offensive role to attack the Cavs’ smaller guards; his mileage has varied when teams have forced him to run the show.

This matchup, however, will be very different. Without Allen and Dean Wade the Cavs will be hard-pressed to slow the two-time MVP Antetokounmpo, and if Donovan Mitchell is hampered by his ankle injury in any way the Bucks could smother the Cavs’ attack. On the other hand, if the Cavs can keep it close the Bucks will be lacking some of their best perimeter threats to pull away, and Darius Garland could try to recapture the magic of Sunday night.

In the end, the Bucks have the best player and the Cavs are missing their best options to defend him. That gives the Bucks the advantage at home.

Prediction: Milwaukee 104, Cleveland 96

BUCKS (-4), UNDER

What channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game on?

You can catch the game on Bally Sports Ohio if you’re off of Lake Erie, or Bally Sports Wisconsin if you’re off of Lake Michigan. For everyone else, the game will be aired with both local feeds on NBA League Pass. The tip-off is scheduled for 8 pm ET.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Milwaukee Bucks live stream

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Cleveland Cavaliers next games and schedule

Next 3 games:

Fri, Nov 18 – Cavs vs Hornets

Sun, Nov 20 – Cavs vs Heat

Mon, Nov 21 – Cavs vs Hawks

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change