2023-24 Season | Game #32 | Bucks @ Cavs | Dec. 29, 2023 | 7:30 p.m. | NBA-TV

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The Knicks provided the blueprint for beating the Bucks when they beat them 129-122 on Christmas. Giannis and Dame each scored 32 points and Middleton got 24. Lopez got 14 and Portis 12 off the bench. But the rest of the Bucks' players combined for just 8 points and the Bucks went 13-for-42 on 3's (31%).

The Knicks put 129 on the board despite going just 8-for-26 on 3's. They were 42-for-66 on 2-point shots (63.6%). Brunson ripped them up for 38 points. They couldn't stop the little guy. If Mitchell plays he can do the same thing.

The Cavs need to attack the paint and also push the pace. Take the uncontested 3 if you have it, but otherwise take it to the hole.

Two days later the Bucks beat Brooklyn 144-122. The Bucks took 89 shots and 51 of them were 3's. They made 23 of them for 45%. Cameron Payne was 5-for-8. The Bucks have a lot of 3-point shooters over 40%. The Cavs need to defend the 3-point line even if it means giving up a blow by layup. They can't afford to let the 3rd most accurate 3-point shooting team get going like the Nets did.

 

[Cavatt]

They like to put Jarrett on Giannis, so this will be interesting. Mobely has destroyed Brook a couple of times and ran him off the line.

Wade has been effective at guarding Giannis for stretches. This is a big test tonight, but Wade is pretty good at preventing drives. He is pretty strong, but he won't be able to hold him off all night. WIll be interesting if TT gets a shot at all.

Very real possibility they have to go to Damian is everyone is in foul trouble. He played well at PF last time he got to the floor. Go with him and Jarrett at times and see what happens. Or with TT at center. May as well tell Damian to let it fly, he isn't great inside.

 

[Cavatt]

The Knicks provided the blueprint for beating the Bucks when they beat them 129-122 on Christmas. Giannis and Dame each scored 32 points and Middleton got 24. Lopez got 14 and Portis 12 off the bench. But the rest of the Bucks' players combined for just 8 points.

The Knicks put 129 on the board despite going just 8-for-26 on 3's. They were 42-for-66 on 2-point shots (63.6%). Brunson ripped them up for 38 points. They couldn't stop the little guy.

The Cavs need to attack the paint and also push the pace. Take the uncontested 3 if you have it, but otherwise take it to the hole.

Has Dame had very good luck against the Cavs? I want to say he doesn't score well on this team. Not sure the stats back it up

 

[Mazer]

Did he get Windler’s locker?

And is their locker built on top of an Indian burial ground?

 

[shoes22]

I wonder what lingering illness Mitchell has where he's not contagious and is able to be around his teammates.

 

[ticon12389]

Mitchell tweeted out #Letemknow which is a pretty clear sign he’s playing

 

[bushwick_bill]

Phew

 

[KansasCavFan]

The chemistry between this group that is playing the past few games has been off the charts. At any level of sports, chemistry can not be overlooked. I don't expect it to be disrupted tonight, as early last season Mitchell fit right in with several key players in this latest run. Win or lose tonight, it's going to be interesting to see if the ball is still shared on offense, and if everyone lays it on the line on defense and does their assignments.

 

[MirORich]

Remember to do the Game Thread proud everybody.

With Donovan Back(and DG/EV still out) this one game is the de facto absolute referendum on:

-Donovan Mitchell
-JBB
-The Cavs playoff chances
-The Cavs long term ceiling
-Caris LeVert(because every half is a referendum on Caris on RCF)

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[Peacedog]

I predict the Cavs will.....open up a can of whoop ass on the Bucks tonight.

 

[scene42]

CPJ deserved to start along Mitchell, but Okoro has played well enough to warrant continuing to start, also.

JB should still be giving CPJ ≈ 20min and he should be getting plenty of minutes with Strus, Dean, Niang, Merrill etc —he knows how to find guys on the perimeter better than anyone else on the roster and will continue to draw fouls in the lane with enough spacing.

 

[Jscc]

Oh. Back to the no PG stuff. I am utterly shocked JBB learned nothing.

 

[jjvors]

Glad to hear Donovan's back. I'll give the Cavs about a 45% chance of winning tonight. I gave the Mavs a 60% chance of winning, but we're at home and Donovan's back. I expect him to be full of energy.

Still, we're at less than 50-50. We need 1) play focused defense, like the 2nd half of the Mavs. 2) don't turn the ball over more than 12 times. 3) Go inside to Jarrett against Lopez. Put him the PNR with Donovan at least 10 times today. I want Jarrett to get at least 17 shots again.

Do all that and we'll win 117-112.

 

[Peacedog]

Glad to hear Donovan's back. I'll give the Cavs about a 45% chance of winning tonight. I gave the Mavs a 60% chance of winning, but we're at home and Donovan's back. I expect him to be full of energy.

Still, we're at less than 50-50. We need 1) play focused defense, like the 2nd half of the Mavs. 2) don't turn the ball over more than 12 times. 3) Go inside to Jarrett against Lopez. Put him the PNR with Donovan at least 10 times today. I want Jarrett to get at least 17 shots again.

Do all that and we'll win 117-112.

52.34% chance the Cavs win tonight.