OPENING TIP
These are the type of road games that can lull teams to sleep. The Bucks aren’t supposed to be anything special. They may look at the Cavs the same way – although most teams “get up” for Kyrie Irving. Either way, when you’re hoping to be a playoff team, games like these can be critical. With new coaches and lots of new players, both the Cavs and the Bucks are still figuring things out. This is almost like a preseason game in that sense. But it’s like a preseason game that both teams really want to win.
Venue: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee
TV/Radio: 8 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
PROJECTED STARTERS
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (2-2)
C Anderson Varejao
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Earl Clark
SG Dion Waiters
PG Kyrie Irving
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (1-2)
C Larry Sanders
PF Ersan Ilyasova
SF Caron Butler
SG O.J. Mayo
PG Gary Neal
Pregame notes:
• Andrew Bynum (knee) is a game-time decision for the Cavs. If all goes well in warmups, he will probably play (limited minutes). Brandon Knight (hamstring) and Luke Ridnour (back) are game-time decisions for the Bucks. Carlos Delfino (foot) is out and Epke Udoh (knee) is questionable.
• If Knight and Ridnour are out, there’s a chance Nate Wolters could start at point guard. Wolters was a second-round pick (No. 38) who is already showing he belongs in the NBA. He recorded 10 assists in his first pro game.
• Not to harp on it, but Wolters is second among rookies in assists and minutes played, and third in scoring. Just goes to show you can really get something in the second round.
• The Bucks are one of four teams to hold their opponents to fewer than 20 assists in each game. (Pacers, Celtics, Jazz the others.)
• The Cavs are second in the league in points allowed (91.3). They're near the middle of the league in rebounding (13th, 44.0). Things aren’t nearly as pretty on offense. They’re 29th in scoring (87.3 points) and 24th in assists (17.0 a game). But it's the first two categories that matter most to their coach.
