Cavs vs. Bucks preview and gamethread
The Cavaliers look to match the franchise’s best start.
Donovan Mitchell secured a win for the Cavs that they likely didn’t deserve with a game-winning bucket on a broken play. We’ll see how both teams respond to that in Monday’s rematch.
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (7-0) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (1-5)
Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
When: 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio (previously Bally Sports), NBA TV
Line: Cavs -7
Expected Cavs starting lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
Cavs injury report: Caris LeVert - QUESTIONABLE (knee), Max Strus - OUT (ankle), Emoni Bates - OUT (knee), Jaylon Tyson - OUT (left hip)
Expected Bucks starting lineup: Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez
Bucks injury report: Khris Middleton - OUT (ankle), Giannis Antetokounmpo - QUESTIONABLE (right abductor strain), MarJon Beauchamp - OUT (illness), AJ Johnson - OUT (G League), Chris Livingston - OUT (G League), Pat Connaughton - PROBABLE (left adductor strain)
Fear the Sword will be hosting a live stream watch party for select games this year on Playback. Join Tony Pesta and Corey Walsh as they react to all the action.
What to watch for
Second game adjustments
The amount of game planning and adjustments to your base defense or attack is minimal in the regular season due to the amount of games. That naturally changes when you play the same team twice in a row.
Kenny Atkinson’s use of Isaac Okoro as a defender on Damian Lillard helped them pull out the narrow victory on Saturday. They were able to make the clutch-time offense work by using him as a screener with the two bigs also on the floor. This isn’t something that they’ve done previously this season. Milwaukee should’ve doubled the ball handler in those situations. They likely would do that in Monday’s game if the Cavs play Okoro alongside the two bigs.
This is just one example of something in the game plan that could change. It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments the two teams make in this second matchup.
Jarrett Allen’s bounce back
Allen is coming off of his two worst performances of the season. He didn’t do a great job as the primary defender on Antetokounmpo and he had another poor offensive night. Allen ended the game well with eight of his 15 points coming in the final frame. But the first three quarters weren’t what we’ve come to expect from him. This was on the heels of a two-point outing against the Orlando Magic on Friday.
Allen has benefited greatly from being reunited with Atkinson. This has led to his strong start. He will break out of the mini-slump he’s in. This would be a great game to do so in.
Looking to tie franchise history
The Cavs have a chance to start 8-0 for the second time in their history. The only other time was 1976. That team was coming off the Miracle of Richfield and was led by Austin Carr and Campy Russell.
It will be a challenge to match that mark on Monday. The Bucks have their backs against the wall. They need a win more than anyone in the league considering their awful start. The Cavaliers will once again get Antetokounmpo and Lillard’s best shot. We’ll see if they have what it takes to match it.