Each unit is coming off a string of losses that have stalled their early-season momentum. Cleveland and Milwaukee are hobbling with key players sitting out recent games.

The Bucks are 4-point favourites on the NBA odds. The over-under is 219.5.

Cavaliers vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds

These franchises have been involved in interesting streaks for anyone paying attention. Cleveland is a team on the rise since last season. Prior to that, the Ohio franchise dwindled in or near the Eastern Conference basement. As such, Milwaukee, a powerhouse for a handful of years already, dominated the games. From March 2019 through Dec 2021, Milwaukee was 9-1 against the Cavs. Since then, just as Cleveland rose from the ashes, they have claimed victory in the last three.

The Cavs sport a record against the spread that mirrors their actual win-loss record, that being 8-5. The squad experienced a tremendous first few weeks, earning a bunch of covers, including two against the Boston Celtics when they were underdogs each time. However, they’d failed in four consecutive games.

While the steaks haven’t been as dramatic for the Bucks, they too have not covered the spread recently, failing twice in a row now. Still, they’re 9-5 overall this season.

Something to watch out for with so many stars sitting this one out: both clubs are top 10 defences in points allowed per game. Who is going to score just enough to get by?

Cleveland Cavaliers

Judging by how Sunday night’s home contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves went, J.B. Bickerstaff’s squad probably hopes that Donovan Mitchell’s ankle injury heals sooner rather than later. Then again, Mitchell was present during the team’s west coast road trip and that went awry in a hurry.

The Cavs looked to be in control of Friday night’s match in San Francisco against the Warriors until the dying minutes when Steph Curry and Klay Thompson did what Steph can Klay do: make it rain three-pointers just when it’s needed. Sunday night at home to the Timberwolves was a prime example of how Cleveland needs Mitchell when the going gets tough. Darius Garland went off for 59 pts, including 10-of-15 from beyond the arc. It kept the home side in the game, but they ultimately fell 129-124. Defence in the paint was optional all night and Minnesota toyed with slick passes to take mostly uncontested three-pointers.

Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of, if not the best player in the NBA today. Even so, he can’t do everything all at once. Monday night’s home tilt versus new rivals the Atlanta Hawks served as exhibit A.

On top of Khris Middleton’s extended absence due to a severe wrist injury, Jrue Holiday (ankle) is also now out. The Hawks are a good team when firing on all cylinders and, even though the Bucks were at home, they always looked like the second-best unit on the hardwood floor Monday night in a 121-106 defeat. They had no answer for the four-pronged Atlanta attack of players that either reached or flirted with 20 points (Trae Young, Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray, and De’Andre Hunter). Whenever Giannis made a play, the opponents immediately answered with morale-squashing buckets. Point guard Jevon Carter, who had played well previously when his number was called up, was a non-factor, nor was big man Brook Lopez.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Cavaliers vs. Bucks?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cavaliers Team Leaders

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 28.26
Assists	Darius Garland 7.8
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.79
FG%	Dylan Windler 66.7
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.46
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.51

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.1
Assists	Jrue Holiday 7.39
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.78
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.18
Blocks	Brook Lopez 2.47

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 23.2
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 7.2
Rebounds	Evan Mobley 10
FG%	Robin Lopez 100
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 2
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.2

MIL

Points	Khris Middleton 23.8
Assists	Jrue Holiday 8
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11
FG%	MarJon Beauchamp 66.7
Steals	Brook Lopez 1.4
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.8

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bucks Team Leaders

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 28.26
Assists	Darius Garland 7.8
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 9.79
FG%	Dylan Windler 66.7
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 1.46
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.51

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.1
Assists	Jrue Holiday 7.39
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.78
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.18
Blocks	Brook Lopez 2.47

CLE

Points	Donovan Mitchell 23.2
Assists	Donovan Mitchell 7.2
Rebounds	Evan Mobley 10
FG%	Robin Lopez 100
Steals	Donovan Mitchell 2
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.2

MIL

Points	Khris Middleton 23.8
Assists	Jrue Holiday 8
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11
FG%	MarJon Beauchamp 66.7
Steals	Brook Lopez 1.4
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.8

Injuries

Cleveland

Cedi Osman (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 20 / 04 / 23

Jarrett Allen (C)

Prob Sun Groin - 05 / 04 / 23

Darius Garland (PG)

Prob Sat Leg - 05 / 04 / 23

Caris LeVert (SG)

Prob Sat Knee - 05 / 04 / 23

Dylan Windler (SG)

Out indefinitely Foot - 01 / 04 / 23

Jarrett Allen (C)

Ques Sun Groin - 27 / 03 / 23

Isaac Okoro (SF)

Prob Sat Knee - 26 / 03 / 23

Dean Wade (SF)

Prob Fri Illness - 26 / 03 / 23

Danny Green (SG)

Out indefinitely Illness - 26 / 03 / 23

Raul Neto (PG)

Ques Fri Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23

Milwaukee

Wesley Matthews (SG)

Prob Wed Calf - 18 / 04 / 23

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 23

AJ Green (PG)

Ques Wed Foot - 07 / 04 / 23

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Fri Rest - 06 / 04 / 23

Pat Connaughton (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23

Grayson Allen (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23

Jevon Carter (PG)

Prob Wed Knee - 03 / 04 / 23

Khris Middleton (SF)

Prob Sun Knee - 03 / 04 / 23

Grayson Allen (SG)

Ques Tues Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23

Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Elig Tues Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23

Injuries

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Cedi Osman (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 20 / 04 / 23	1-2	0-3	+ -
Osman is battling a left ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will take on the Knicks in Game 3 in the Eastern Conference first round.
Jarrett Allen (C)	Prob Sun	Groin - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	1-6	+ -
Allen missed the last contest with a right groin strain, but it is forecasted that he will play against the Hornets on Sunday.
Darius Garland (PG)	Prob Sat	Leg - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	1-6	+ -
Garland is nursing a left lower-leg contusion, but it is expected that he will face the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Caris LeVert (SG)	Prob Sat	Knee - 05 / 04 / 23	2-4	1-6	+ -
LeVert is dealing with right knee soreness, but it is likely that he will partake in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Knicks.
Dylan Windler (SG)	Out indefinitely	Foot - 01 / 04 / 23	2-6	2-7	+ -
Windler is idle with a left foot sprain, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Jarrett Allen (C)	Ques Sun	Groin - 27 / 03 / 23	4-6	2-9	+ -
Allen has sat out the last two contests due to a right groin strain, leaving his availability for Sunday's battle with the Pacers up in the air.
Isaac Okoro (SF)	Prob Sat	Knee - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	3-9	+ -
Okoro has been idle with left knee soreness, but he is expected to return to action against the Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Dean Wade (SF)	Prob Fri	Illness - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	3-9	+ -
Wade has missed the previous two games due to an illness, but it is likely that he will be active for Friday's showdown versus the Knicks.
Danny Green (SG)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 26 / 03 / 23	4-7	3-9	+ -
Green is going through the league's health and safety protocols, and there is no timetable for recovery.
Raul Neto (PG)	Ques Fri	Hamstring - 23 / 03 / 23	5-7	4-9	+ -
Neto has sat out the last three contests due to hamstring tightness, and it is unknown if he will face off with the Knicks on Friday.

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Wesley Matthews (SG)	Prob Wed	Calf - 18 / 04 / 23	1-3	4-0	+ -
Matthews is dealing with a right calf strain, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 23	1-5	6-0	+ -
Lopez will be out of the lineup Sunday against the Raptors as he is taking a rest day.
AJ Green (PG)	Ques Wed	Foot - 07 / 04 / 23	2-5	6-1	+ -
Green is tending to right foot soreness, and it is uncertain if he will partake in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Heat.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Fri	Rest - 06 / 04 / 23	2-5	6-1	+ -
Lopez was not be active for Friday's clash with the Grizzlies as he will receive a day of rest.
Pat Connaughton (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 04 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Connaughton is hampered by a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Allen is nursing a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round with the Heat.
Jevon Carter (PG)	Prob Wed	Knee - 03 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Carter missed the previous game with left knee soreness, but it is expected that he will line up for Wednesday's clash versus the Bulls.
Khris Middleton (SF)	Prob Sun	Knee - 03 / 04 / 23	3-6	7-2	+ -
Middleton is limited due to right knee soreness, but it is anticipated that he will line up against the Heat for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 23	3-7	8-2	+ -
Allen exited the previous contest with a right ankle sprain, and it remains to be seen if he will lace up against the Wizards in Tuesday's clash.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo (SF)	Elig Tues	Suspension - 01 / 04 / 23	3-7	8-2	+ -
Antetokounmpo is going through a one-game suspension for an on-court incident, and he will be eligible to return against the Wizards on Tuesday.