[8:10 PM] Cavaliers @ Bucks

Who will WIN this matchup?

Cleveland Cavaliers (19-6)

@ Milwaukee Bucks (13-12)

 

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed “The Greek Freak,” is averaging 22.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and six assists and is on a four-game run in which he is averaging 27.5 points and 10.8 rebounds. He enjoyed a huge outing in a 118-101 home victory over the Cavaliers on Nov. 29, when he matched his career high of 34 points and also contributed 12 rebounds, five assists and five steals.

• Cleveland won six of its past seven games with the lone loss during the stretch coming when James, point guard Kyrie Irving and power forward Kevin Love all remained home and the squad lost in Memphis. Love is on a roll with six straight 20-point outings and he recorded 27 points and a season-best 17 rebounds in Saturday’s 119-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

• Irving was held out of back-to-back games due to tired legs and was fresh in the contest against the Lakers, when he had 21 points, 12 assists and six rebounds. Irving wasn’t thrilled to miss multiple games and both he and coach Tyronn Lue were aware there was a major backlash about the absences of the “Big Three” in Memphis.

• Starting point guard Matthew Dellavedova was a key reserve on Cleveland’s NBA championship team last season and he is seeing signs that his new club can make the playoffs. Dellavedova is averaging 8.0 points and 5.7 assists but is shooting just 39.3 percent from the field.

• Milwaukee PF Jabari Parker is enjoying a strong stretch in which he is averaging 21 points with six 20-point outings in December.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers

Confidence: 5/10

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