Dribbles: With win, Cavs complete journey from near-worst to near-first
Cavaliers at Bucks
Tipoff: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Records: Cavaliers 50-27; Bucks 38-39.
TV: FOX Sports Ohio. Radio: WTAM-AM 1100 flagship; WAKR-AM 1590 Akron.
Projected Starters
Cavaliers: C Timofey Mozgov; PF Tristan Thompson; SF LeBron James; SG J.R. Smith; PG Kyrie Irving.
Bucks: C Zaza Pachulia; PF Ersan Ilyasova; SF Giannis Antetokounmpo; SG Khris Middleton; PG Michael Carter-Williams.
Injury Report
Cavaliers: C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) out.
Bucks: F Jabari Parker (knee) out; F Damian Inglis (ankle) out.
Dribbles
1. Beat the Bucks, and you're Central Division champs. That's the message entering Wednesday night. And if you're a Cavs fan, how cool is that?
2. Seriously. Think about the four years prior to this. The Cavs compiled the worst record in the league. Now, they have a shot to be called the best when it's all said and done. As GM David Griffin said on FOX Sports Ohio's "Cavaliers in the Paint," enjoy the journey. Despite all the media- and fan-created drama, the basketball has been great.
3. LeBron James on the season: "We're a championship contender, but we're not there yet. We have the talent, but we still have some time left and we won't take those days for granted."
4. More LeBron: "We've been playing some really good ball. We still make some young team mistakes -- hopefully we can get past those very soon."
5. Cavs coach David Blatt on the idea of resting players: "We will seek out opportunities to give guys a little bit of rest, but we will not be looking to shut down anyone (in final five games). We need to keep guys ready. (Resting players) is not the first priority right now. Our first priority is to stay sharp."
6. And how do the Cavs stay sharp? "Playing right, playing hard, and focusing in on the details," Blatt said from Wednesday's shootaround in Milwaukee. "Not losing our mental intensity and coming into the games with a purpose."
7. The Bucks enter the day as the No. 6 seed in the East. They have a full roster and a reason to want to win, as their playoff position is not yet secure. After Wednesday, the Cavs have two against Boston (at home Friday, at the Celtics on Sunday). The Celtics are the eighth seed and fighting just to stay alive.
8. More Blatt from shootaround: "The teams we're playing (this week) are playoff teams with a lot to play for. That will force us to continue to bring our 'A' game." He added these types of games will be good for the Cavs for the playoffs -- which is why it never hurts to keep the best players in the lineup, as opposed to giving them "rest."
9. Remember when O.J. Mayo was traded for Kevin Love on draft night back in 2008? Well, Mayo has never lived up to the hype. He played some high school ball in Ohio, finished in West Virginia, then became a star for a year at USC. Now, he's 27 and so-so in the NBA. But Mayo is having a nice April off the Bucks' bench, averaging 17.0 points in three games.
10. The Cavs have won the Central Division three times (1975-76, 2008-09, 2009-10).
