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The Milwaukee Bucks are officially back! After a stirring fourth quarter performance that saw the Bucks come out 128-117 victors over the Miami Heat, the Bucks get right back into game action tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be the sides’ third matchup of the season, with the Cavaliers winners of both so far. The sides first met in October, with Cleveland overcoming a 40-point night from Giannis to win by five, and met again in November, where Mitchell exploded for 37 points in a 118-106 victory. But these are not the same Bucks—not in personnel, or in momentum—so strap yourself in for a showdown.
Where We’re At
The Bucks have now won seven of their last nine and four out of their last five. Of note, the five-game stretch coincides with Cam Thomas and Ousmane Dieng’s first five real games with the team (the first game Orlando doesn’t count). So, for a team without much capital, Jon Horst sure managed to build around the edges on its core. Of course, the dynamic duo of Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins have led the way, finding a chemistry that bodes well for a long-term backcourt partnership. Perhaps most surprising, though, is the play of Jericho Sims. It wasn’t long ago that Sims looked on the outer, but now he’s rejuvenated, playing career-best basketball. Over the last five, Sims is fourth on the team in minutes per game (25.6), second in plus/minus (+6.4), and first in rebounds per game (7.8)—all while converting 90% of his shots. With Myles Turner returning from injury and still struggling to find his groove in Milwaukee, Sims’ play has been critical for the Bucks and will be needed against the Cavs’ two-headed monster in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
After failing to live up to expectations earlier in the year, it would be an understatement to say Cleveland has found its way. Winners of 13 out of 15, they’ve reasserted themselves as an Eastern Conference giant. The addition of James Harden—brought in for Darius Garland and a future second-round pick—has been a seamless one for the Cavs, with Harden leading the team in assists in five of his seven games and, more generally, taking their “offense to another level”. He’s been particularly beneficial for Allen, with the centre increasing his point production from 13.9 PPG before the trade to 20.4 PPG since. Also new to the Cavs are Dennis Schröder and Keon Ellis, who were acquired as part of a three-team trade that sent De’Andre Hunter to Sacramento. Last night, Cleveland dismantled the New York Knicks 109-94, holding them to just 11 points in the third quarter, 41% shooting on the night, and forcing 16 turnovers. Needless to say, the Bucks will have their work cut out for them.
Injury Report
With both sides on the second leg of a back-to-back, their official injury reports have not yet been submitted. However, for the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Taurean Prince (neck) likely remain out, while for the Cavs Max Strus (foot) also likely remains out.
Player To Watch
Kevin Porter Jr. has been phenomenal lately. Over the last five games he’s averaging 21.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 8.4 APG, 2.0 SPG on .533/.400/.889 shooting—oh, and just 1.8 TPG. For those playing at home, that’s a 4.67 assist-to-turnover ratio and a turnover percentage of just 6.6%, all while having a 62% true shooting percentage. But it’s not just the numbers; it’s the way he’s been doing it. Porter has slowed down—or the game has. Fewer rash drives, fewer risky passes. Same creativity and flair. The highs without the lows. And if all that wasn’t enough, he’s often taken on the toughest defensive matchup too. If this were 1986, he’d be challenging Marques Johnson for Comeback Player of the Year honours. Now, against his first NBA club—a team whose backcourt is loaded with All-Star and All-NBA accolades—KPJ has a chance to continue his ascension, see how he really measures up.
How To Watch
Tune in at 7:00 p.m. on either FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin or the following stations:
- WMLW & WYTU (Milwaukee)
- WISC (Madison)
- WMEI (Green Bay)
- WECX (Eau Claire/La Crosse)
- WYOW (Wausau)
- WQAD (Davenport, IA, Rock Island/Moline, IL)
