Cavaliers Believed To Have Upper Hand Over Bucks In Head-To-Head Matchup

The Milwaukee Bucks were at the center of the biggest trade over the offseason. Damian Lillard finally found a new home after months of asking the Portland Trailblazers to trade him and that ended up being with the Bucks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard create one of the scariest duos in the NBA and should play well off each other. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers may still have the upper hand against this Finals contender.

An anonymous NBA scout told Sports Illustrated's Chirs Mannix that, "(Milwaukee) would probably match up poorly versus Cleveland. I think they match up poorly versus Boston. I also could see Milwaukee struggling more with the Detroits of the world. The Pacers are going to be a real thorn in that team’s side."

What is this matchup that the unnamed representative is referring to? It could have to do with Cleveland’s top-of-the-line defense.

The Cavs finished with the best defensive rating (110.6) in the NBA last season with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen finishing in the top three in individual rating. Cleveland may not be focusing on defense as much as they were last season, but they'll still be good nonetheless.

Cleveland also has an offense that could give the Bucks trouble and they'll have to choose how to distribute their best defender in Giannis. Will he take on Darius Garland or Donovan Mitchell on the perimeter? Will he stay in the paint to lock up Allen and Mobley? There's a lot for Milwaukee to consider which will help the Cavaliers.

Fans will have to wait a while to see if this take is accurate or not. The Cavs and Bucks don't match up for the first time this season until December 29 in Cleveland.