Live Thread: Cavs @ Bucks

The Cavs are In Milwaukee tonight to take on the Greek Freak. The Bucks are coming off a loss to the Heat where they led by 21 points and eventually fell in overtime.

I didn’t see the game but Giannis Antetokounmpo fouled out in overtime so that seems like it would be a strong  factor in the loss.

Giannis also fouled out in his first game of the season against the Rockets. See a trend?

The Cavs are coming off a win against the Pacers in which Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love both had over 20 points and ten boards. If the Cavs stand a chance tonight, TT and Love will have to put up similar numbers.

Three Things To Watch

1. Who on the Cavs can cover the Greek Freak? Cedi Osman is too small. Tristan is probably too slow. The team is going to have to cover Giannis by committee and pack the paint. He still can’t hit 3s, and the Cavs must remember that all night or they’ll give up a ton of inside points to him. They can;t let him Euro Step them into oblivion.

2. The Cavs offense needs to run through Love. Love handed out nine dimes against the Pacers; he could do that most  nights if he got the ball enough. He still only took eight shots though, which is four less than Darius Garland did in that game. That’s not right. If the Cavs want a chance to win this season, the team needs to run their offense through the vets.

3. Is the Cavalier defense actually legit? They’re currently fourth in the league for defensive rating at 96 per game. They’re second in the league in opponent second chance points. It’s a small sample size, but I’m hoping they keep up the effort at the very least. The second chance points thing probably is real, considering they play two legit big men in their starting five.

The Bucks are a title contending team so it would be no surprise if they blow the Cavs out in this game, especially after their loss to Miami. However, there is hope. The Bucks have good perimeter defenders, and that should limit Collin Sexton’s and Darius Garland’s ability to take too many shots. That will force the team to work the ball down low, and hopefully keep the game semi-competitive.

I’m also predicting Tristan tries at least one 3-pointer in this game.

Bucks 114, Cavs 105.