Live Thread: Cavs @ Bucks

In what seems like a fluke in the schedule, the Cleveland Cavaliers will play home-and-home back-to-back in one week when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks the next two nights. Unlike their back-to-back last week against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Cavaliers will be the road team first, as they take on the Bucks tonight at 8:00 at the Bradley Center.

The Bucks come into tonight’s game as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, a bit surprising considering they have been without shooting guard Khris Middleton all season. Middleton, likely out for the year with a torn hamstring that required surgery to repair, is one of the best 3-and-D players in the league, and an underrated playmaker.

Of course,the Cavaliers shouldn’t be surprised by the Bucks at this point. After all, the Bucks are 1-0 against the champs this season, courtesy of a dominant 118-101 victory in Milwaukee on November 29th. That night Giannis Antetokounmpo was the the best player on the floor, posting 34 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, five steals, and two blocks in 35 minutes of action. Overall, the Cavs allowed the Bucks to shoot 53.5% from the floor as they had trouble dealing with Milwaukee’s superior length and athleticism.

With Kevin Love missing tonight’s game with a knee contusion, the Cavs will start Richard Jefferson in his place.. With Chris Andersen out for the season and love out for the evening, the Cavs are down to just two legitimate big men, and starting Jefferson means that they can keep Frye and Tristan Thompson apart in the rotation. Despite this, look for the Cavaliers to come out with solid energy from the opening tip. The Bucks had their way with the Cavaliers last month, and if there’s one thing this team has shown, it’s that they rise to the occasion whenever their pride is challenged.

Be sure to tune in to Fox Sports Ohio at 8:00 tonight to watch the Cavaliers and the Bucks, and be sure to stop by and share your thoughts here with the gang at Cavs: The Blog!