It’s an NBA scheduling quirk that may feel unfair to Cavs fans, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles. Milwaukee hasn’t had to tussle with anyone since Tuesday when they narrowly handled Toronto.

A tight game is expected from the pundits, who have placed Cleveland has slight -1.5 favourites on the NBA odds. The over-under has been tabulated at 220.5.

Bucks vs. Cavaliers NBA Betting Odds

In barely a two-month span Milwaukee and Cleveland will have completed their four-game regular season set. The first was in mid-November and two more occurred in rapid succession in December. The Bucks cling to a 2-1 lead. Moreover, home-court advantage has been the story, with all three previous matchups claimed by the team playing in front of its fans. Only one of the three contests was decided by less than 10 points.

Mike Budenholzer’s Milwaukee outfit is at a critical juncture of sorts. Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be listed as Out (as of Saturday morning), making each game a greater challenge. Boston leads them in the Eastern Conference by only four and a half games, not an insurmountable deficit. Another reassuring detail is that they have won two games in a row against squads fighting to get into the playoffs (Pacers and Raptors). Furthermore, the spread was covered each time, improving the club’s record ATS to 24-18-3.

Just as the Bucks look up in the standings at the Celtics, the Cavaliers are themselves not far behind their Saturday night guests. Cleveland trails the Wisconsin-based club by only two games. Moreover, Donovan Mitchell and company have transformed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse into a fortress with a shiny 19-5 record at home. Their strong 28-19 win-loss tally has not benefitted betters very much, however, as the Cavs are only 23-22-2 ATS.

Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee deserves a lot of credit and, arguably, merited the four-day rest it’s had in the leadup to Saturday’s tilt. It was one thing to have Khris Middleton perpetually sidelined, but then The Greek Freak suddenly missed four straight games due to a knee injury. How much more can be asked of a team on whose shoulders the expectations weigh heavily?

That said, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez and, in a twist, Grayson Allen, have done a splendid job carrying to torch. Tuesday’s tilt at home to the Raptors reminded observers that Milwaukee is far more than just Giannis. The back-and-forth 130-122 victory was earned through excellent shooting (53.5 per cent efficiency) and plenty of perfectly timed fast break points (the Bucks earned a 24 to 11 advantage in that regard). Even Fred VanVleet’s terrific night (39 points) didn’t deter the home side’s ambitions. While Jrue Holiday’s 37 points, six rebounds, and seven assists impressed, so did Grayson Allen superb 25 points and five rebounds.

Cleveland Cavaliers

J.B. Bicketstaff and his men will be kicking themselves for what happened on Friday night. Anything can happen on any given night in the NBA, but the 120-114 defeat to Golden State was surely a bitter pill to swallow.

For starters, the Cavaliers are a truly excellent home team, so losing in Cleveland is disappointing in and of itself. Secondly, the Warriors were coming off of a back-to-back, having played a trying overtime game in Boston the night before. Third, because of that, the visitors rested most of the players one would expect to cause the most damage (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson). Finally, Cleveland sports the NBA’s top-ranked defence in points conceded per match yet could not stop Golden State’s three-point tornado. All in all, the loss was a back look for a side that’s finding its way toward consistent success.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Cavaliers?

• Regular Season

Bucks Team Leaders

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.25
Assists	Jrue Holiday 7.32
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.89
FG%	Meyers Leonard 57.1
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.17
Blocks	Brook Lopez 2.49

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 27.42
Assists	Darius Garland 7.81
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.87
FG%	Dylan Windler 66.7
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.5
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.39

• Regular Season

Cavaliers Team Leaders

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.25
Assists	Jrue Holiday 7.32
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.89
FG%	Meyers Leonard 57.1
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.17
Blocks	Brook Lopez 2.49

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 27.42
Assists	Darius Garland 7.81
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.87
FG%	Dylan Windler 66.7
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.5
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.39

Injuries

Milwaukee

Meyers Leonard (PF)

Out Fri Calf - 19 / 03 / 23

Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Prob Wed Personal - 16 / 03 / 23

Brook Lopez (C)

Prob Sun Ankle - 15 / 03 / 23

Jae Crowder (SF)

Out Fri Calf - 15 / 03 / 23

Grayson Allen (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 14 / 03 / 23

Khris Middleton (SF)

Prob Thurs Rest - 14 / 03 / 23

Goran Dragic (PG)

Out indefinitely Knee - 14 / 03 / 23

Joe Ingles (SF)

Ques Tues Rest - 13 / 03 / 23

Jae Crowder (SF)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 08 / 03 / 23

Goran Dragic (PG)

Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 03 / 23

Cleveland

Raul Neto (PG)

Out Thurs Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23

Ricky Rubio (PG)

Out Wed Knee - 15 / 03 / 23

Jarrett Allen (C)

Prob Tues Eye - 11 / 03 / 23

Darius Garland (PG)

Prob Sun Quadricep - 10 / 03 / 23

Cedi Osman (SF)

Prob Fri Back - 24 / 02 / 23

Cedi Osman (SF)

Prob Thurs Neck - 15 / 02 / 23

Ricky Rubio (PG)

Prob Fri Knee - 15 / 02 / 23

Ricky Rubio (PG)

Prob Sat Rest - 09 / 02 / 23

Darius Garland (PG)

Prob Fri Thumb - 08 / 02 / 23

Donovan Mitchell (SG)

Prob Fri Groin - 08 / 02 / 23

Injuries

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Meyers Leonard (PF)	Out Fri	Calf - 19 / 03 / 23	2-0	1-1	+ -
Leonard has been held out of the last two contests with left calf soreness, and he will not face the Jazz on Friday.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Prob Wed	Personal - 16 / 03 / 23	1-0	1-0	+ -
Antetokounmpo has missed the previous two games due to a personal matter, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for Wednesday's matchup against the Spurs.
Brook Lopez (C)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 15 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Lopez was unavailable for the last game due to ankle soreness, but he is expected to be in the lineup Sunday versus the Raptors.
Jae Crowder (SF)	Out Fri	Calf - 15 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Crowder has been absent from the previous three games with left calf soreness, and he will not take to the court Friday against the Jazz.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 14 / 03 / 23	0-1	1-0	+ -
Allen has sat out the last two contests with right plantar fascia soreness, but it is predicted that he will return versus the Raptors in Sunday's tilt.
Khris Middleton (SF)	Prob Thurs	Rest - 14 / 03 / 23	0-1	1-0	+ -
MIddleton sat out the last game as he was given a day of rest, but it is predicted that he will play on Thursday against the Pacers.
Goran Dragic (PG)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 14 / 03 / 23	0-1	1-0	+ -
Dragic is sidelined due to left knee soreness, and there is no timetable for return.
Joe Ingles (SF)	Ques Tues	Rest - 13 / 03 / 23	0-1	1-0	+ -
Ingles sat out the last game as he was given a day of rest, and it is unclear if he will play on Tuesday versus the Suns.
Jae Crowder (SF)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 08 / 03 / 23	1-2	2-1	+ -
Crowder is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is not expected to impact his status versus the Nets on Thursday.
Goran Dragic (PG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 05 / 03 / 23	3-3	4-2	+ -
Dragic has been absent from the previous three matches with left knee soreness, and it is forecasted that he will return for Saturday's contest with the Warriors.

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Raul Neto (PG)	Out Thurs	Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23	2-1	2-1	+ -
Neto is dealing with left hamstring tightness, and he will not suit up for Thursday's contest against the Nets.
Ricky Rubio (PG)	Out Wed	Knee - 15 / 03 / 23	0-0	0-0	+ -
Rubio is managing a left knee injury, and he will sit out for Wednesday's showdown against the 76ers.
Jarrett Allen (C)	Prob Tues	Eye - 11 / 03 / 23	1-2	2-1	+ -
Allen has been absent from the last four games with a right eye contusion, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Nets on Tuesday.
Darius Garland (PG)	Prob Sun	Quadricep - 10 / 03 / 23	1-2	2-1	+ -
Garland missed the previous contest with a right quadricep contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status for Sunday's showdown with the Hornets.
Cedi Osman (SF)	Prob Fri	Back - 24 / 02 / 23	4-5	6-3	+ -
Osman is hindered by a lower-back contusion, but it is projected that he will take part in Friday's matchup versus the Hawks.
Cedi Osman (SF)	Prob Thurs	Neck - 15 / 02 / 23	4-7	8-3	+ -
Osman was held out of the previous game with neck spasms, but it is forecasted that he will be active for Thursday's contest versus the Nuggets.
Ricky Rubio (PG)	Prob Fri	Knee - 15 / 02 / 23	4-7	8-3	+ -
Rubio sat out the previous game due to a left knee injury, but it is projected that he will face the Hawks on Friday.
Ricky Rubio (PG)	Prob Sat	Rest - 09 / 02 / 23	7-7	9-5	+ -
Rubio missed the last game after taking a day of rest as his ACL injury continues to heal, but he is anticipated to play on Saturday against the Bulls
Darius Garland (PG)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 08 / 02 / 23	8-7	9-6	+ -
Garland sat out the last contest due to right thumb soreness, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Pelicans on Friday.
Donovan Mitchell (SG)	Prob Fri	Groin - 08 / 02 / 23	8-7	9-6	+ -
Mitchell was held out of the last game with left groin soreness, but it is expected that he will partake in Friday's matchup with the Pelicans.