The Cleveland Cavaliers (10-12) will play host to the Central Division leading Milwaukee Bucks (13-8).
Last time out it was not great for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they lost 121-99 to the Los Angeles Clippers. A major concern came out of that game and that was the disparity between the three-point shooting of the Cavs and Clippers. Things will not get any easier in that department as the Milwaukee is near the top in three-point attempts, makes, and conversion percentage.
Milwaukee gives up 3.5 points more per contest than the Cavaliers, but scores 17.3 more than Cleveland. This is not to say that defense doesn’t matter, just that it matters less for the Bucks. The Cavs have a much smaller margin for error and that has been apparent all season.
The Bucks are 3-2 in the last five games, averaging 123.8 points per game and giving up 116.8, pretty much on par for their season totals. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are 2-3 over that same timeframe and are averaging 101.2 points per game and give up 107.4, also pretty close to their average on the year.
What it will come down to is how much they can slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, that is if they can slow him down. Giannis leads the Bucks in PPG (27), RPG (11.1), and APG (5.9). Jrue Holiday leads Milwaukee in steals with 2 per game and Brook Lopez is their blocks leader with 1.5 .
The stars will just have to align for the Cavaliers in order to come out victorious Friday. Milwaukee is clearly the better team, but this Cavs team has shown they can beat some of the better teams in the league this season.
