Fresh off the back of their NBA Cup triumph, the Milwaukee Bucks will resume regular-season duty on Saturday when they visit Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This will be the third meeting between the teams this term, and based on the evidence of the first two matchups, another close contest could be on the cards in Ohio.
Match preview
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After kicking off the campaign with just two wins from their first 10 games, the alarm bells were ringing in Milwaukee as the Bucks looked like a side unable to make the playoffs, let alone compete for a championship.
However, what followed has been nothing short of a remarkable turnaround, as Doc Rivers's men rallied to win 12 of their subsequent 15 outings, including all seven in the NBA Cup, which culminated in Wednesday's grand finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Going up against the number one seed in the West, the Bucks were far from being favourites to come out on top but did so in commanding fashion with arguably their best performance of the season so far.
Limiting their opponents to just 81 points, the Bucks recovered from a narrow first-quarter deficit to win by 16, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo's triple double as the Greek Freak posted 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists.
While their victory over the Thunder will not count towards their regular-season record, the Bucks have delivered a huge statement of intent that they are to be regarded as serious title contenders off the back of a poor start.
A chance to put their championship credentials on display once again now awaits the 2021 NBA Champions against the current Eastern Conference leaders, and Saturday's visitors will be keen to rise up to the occasion.
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Behind only their opening-day triumph over the Toronto Raptors, the Cleveland Cavaliers recorded their second-largest win of the season on Tuesday thanks to a resounding 130-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center.
Evan Mobley was the only player to score 20+ points for the Cavs, but there were six other players into double digits for Kenny Atkinson's men, who were virtually home and dry at half time having led by a whopping 32-point advantage.
Since losing twice to the Atlanta Hawks in quick succession, the number one seed in the East have now won six of their last seven matches to improve to a 23-4 record and remain ahead of the Boston Celtics, although the defending champions have a game in hand.
Having already beaten the Bucks twice this season, albeit by only a combined five points in two really close clashes, the Cavaliers now go in search of a third win to continue the quest for a season sweep of their Wisconsin-based counterparts.
In the first of a three-game homestretch, Saturday's hosts will be keen to keep the juggernaut rolling with away games against the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on the horizon.
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Team News
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Despite featuring against the Nets, Isaac Okoro has been absent from recent practice sessions due to a shoulder issue and is a major doubt to suit up for the Cavs here.
The home side could also be without Max Strus and Craig Porter Jr, who are currently nursing respective ankle injuries, while Jaylon Tyson is yet to recover from an illness.
Khris Middleton is the Bucks' only fitness concern for Saturday's contest after the 33-year-old missed Wednesday's win over the Thunder due to a non-COVID illness.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are the highest-scoring duo in the NBA this term, with a combined 58.4 points per game, and both men will be looking to put on a show once again.
Cleveland Cavaliers possible starting five:
Garland, Mitchell; LeVert, Mobley; Allen
Milwaukee Bucks possible starting five:
Lillard, Jackson Jr.; Prince, Antetokounmpo; Lopez
We say: Cavaliers to win by 4+ points
Both teams are in scintillating form heading into this one, and neither will doubt their chances of coming away with the victory.
In keeping with their earlier meetings so far, we are anticipating another close game with the Cavs just about managing to get the job done.
Adepoju Marvellous
