What To Expect In Second Milwaukee Bucks-Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup

Two nights ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Chicago Bulls by a final score of 109-91, extending their winning streak to five games. Cleveland’s streak is currently the longest active winning streak in the Eastern Conference, and second-longest in the NBA.

Tonight, the Cavaliers will face the Milwaukee Bucks, whom they will match up against three times over the next 10 days.

Here are four things to expect in the second meeting between these two teams this season.

1. No Giannis For Milwaukee

According to the NBA’s 5:30 p.m. Injury Report, Milwaukee will be without star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a right shoulder contusion. This will be just his second absence so far this season.

The two-time NBA MVP tallied 34 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and a steal when the Bucks defeated the Wine and Gold 119-111 back on December 29.

2. A Great Guard Matchup

Fans should be in for a great matchup between Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard.

Both Mitchell (28.1 points per game, sixth) and Lillard (25.2 points per game, 17th) both rank top-20 in the NBA in scoring.

3. A Better Cleveland Performance From Deep

In the last meeting between these two teams, the Cavaliers posted their lowest three-point percentage in a game (14.0%) since March 30, 2019.

The Wine and Gold have shot at least 29.5% from three-point range in each of their six games played since their last contest against the Bucks.

4. Big Time Bucks Offense

Milwaukee’s offense has been one of the premier such units in the NBA this season.

The Bucks currently rank top-five in the league in points per game (125.0, second), field-goal percentage (50.2%, third), three-point percentage (38.3%, third).