Live Thread: Cavs vs. Bucks (#HelpWanted)

The Cavs were already looking to hire some seasonal help to fill out their bench, and that was before the news that J.R. Smith would need surgery to repair his broken right thumb suffered in the first night of a back to back with the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, David Griffin’s Christmas shopping list may just have gotten a bit longer, as it’s likely J.R. will be out until around the All Star break. He’ll be on the lookout for a backup big to replace the injured Chris “Birdman” Andersen, a potential backup PG, and maybe at least a temporary replacement on the wing to put under the wine & gold tree. It’s a lot to ask… turning the lumps of coal that currently reside on the end of the Cavs’ payroll into some diamonds in the rough. It might take a bit more than just some Christmas magic.

He might just have to take out a classified ad…

Without J.R., and minus the services of Kevin Love (knee contusion), the Cavs had their hands full with the young Bucks last night. It took some extended efforts from LeBron, Kyrie, Richard Jefferson, Iman Shumpert and some additional help from Channing Frye and DeAndre Liggins. And, they get to do it all over again tonight with a double dose of Milwaukee’s finest. The Bucks’ slogan is “Fear The Deer” but they might want to change that to “Reindeer” the way they tend to fly up and down the court against the wine & gold, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker doing their best Dasher and Dancer impressions. They’ve even got a Rudy now to guide their way in Delly.

Speaking of Delly, he gets his Christmas present early this year, as the Cavs will honor him prior to the game (just like Mozzy on the weekend) by awarding him with his well deserved Championship ring.

“It’s going to be pretty special,” Dellavedova told cleveland.com. “It’s my Christmas present, so, I’m really looking forward to it. My family’s going to be in town and it’s going to be fun.”

It might be a case of Silent Night/Weary Night for the Cavs after they had to work overtime to beat the Bucks just a few hours ago, but Coach Ty Lue claims that everyone is available (at least those Cavs who are healthy). Kevin Love will miss his second game, although he should be good to go against the Nets on Friday night. As Lue says, it’s a next man up mentality…

"Next man up. We gotta be ready to play." – Coach Lue on Liggins getting the start tonight in #CavsBucks#DefendTheLand https://t.co/znHBn5cGhA

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 21, 2016

DeAndre Liggins will get the start in place of J.R. at shooting guard, and RJ will get a second straight start in Love’s stead. LeBron, Kyrie and Tristan will start as usual. For the Bucks, both Michael Beasley (foot) and Khris Middleton (hamstring) remain on the injury list.

The action tips off at 7pm EST on Fox Sports Ohio.

Prediction: The Cavs find enough left in their stockings to stuff the Bucks 103-99.