As defending NBA champion Milwaukee battles the Nets and Bulls for top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, they’re set for a home date against a Cleveland Cavaliers squad looking to stay in a playoff position.  The Bucks have been off since Saturday’s 124-102 win over Miami, while the Cavs dropped a close 109-108 decision against Utah on Sunday.

Milwaukee is a 6.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 215.0.

Cavaliers vs. Bucks NBA Betting Odds

The Bucks have dominated this head-to-head, winning the last seven meetings.  The teams met in back-to-back nights last February, with the Bucks winning each date by a double-digit margin.

Cleveland comes into Monday with a solid 4-1 straight up record over their last five games.  They’ve been a great cover option lately, going 7-0 against the spread in their last seven games.  The total has gone Under in 13 of the Cavaliers’ last 20 games.

After a slow start to the season, Milwaukee once again looks like the defending NBA champs, going 9-1 SU in their last 10 games.  They’re 11-13 ATS overall this season, covering in four of 12 home games.  The total has gone Over in four of the Bucks’ last five games overall.

Cleveland Cavaliers

There’s not much rest for the Cavs as they get set to play the second half of a back-to-back.  Darius Garland led the way against Utah on Sunday, finishing with a team-high 31 points.  Garland had a chance to win the game, but couldn’t make the last-second shot.  The fifth overall pick in 2019 averages team-highs in points per game (19.7), assists (7.2) and steals (1.3).  Evan Mobley, the 2021 third overall draft pick, has been one of the better rookies this season.  Among first-year players, Mobley averages the most rebounds (8.3) and blocks (1.9) and second-most points (14.1).  Cleveland has been defensively disciplined throughout the lineup and boasts the No. 3 ranked defensive efficiency in the NBA.

Milwaukee Bucks

The main situation to monitor in the lead-up to this game is the status of Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.  The former NBA MVP has missed the last two games with calf soreness and there’s been no word on his availability for Monday.  If he isn’t ready to go, it will be a huge blow for the Bucks.  Antetokounmpo is second in NBA scoring, averaging 27.8 ppg and he also leads Milwaukee in rebounds (11.8) and blocks (1.7).  Pat Connaughton and Kris Middleton stepped up in Antetokounmpo’s absence last game.  Connaughton finished with a team-high 23 points and four rebounds, while Middleton added 22 points and nine assists.  Middleton averages 17.8 ppg, second on the Bucks to Antetokounmpo.  Connaughton averages 12.3 ppg.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Cavaliers vs. Bucks?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Cavaliers Team Leaders

CLE

Points	Darius Garland 21.66
Assists	Darius Garland 8.57
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 10.75
FG%	Ed Davis 68.8
Steals	Darius Garland 1.31
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.67

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 29.88
Assists	Jrue Holiday 6.82
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.61
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.61
Blocks	Giannis Antetokounmpo 1.36

CLE

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.67
Assists	Khris Middleton 7
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 14.17
FG%	Thanasis Antetokounmpo 66.7
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.75
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Bucks Team Leaders

CLE

Points	Darius Garland 21.66
Assists	Darius Garland 8.57
Rebounds	Jarrett Allen 10.75
FG%	Ed Davis 68.8
Steals	Darius Garland 1.31
Blocks	Evan Mobley 1.67

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 29.88
Assists	Jrue Holiday 6.82
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 11.61
FG%	Giannis Antetokounmpo 55.3
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.61
Blocks	Giannis Antetokounmpo 1.36

CLE

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

MIL

Points	Giannis Antetokounmpo 31.67
Assists	Khris Middleton 7
Rebounds	Giannis Antetokounmpo 14.17
FG%	Thanasis Antetokounmpo 66.7
Steals	Jrue Holiday 1.75
Blocks	Brook Lopez 1.5

Injuries

Cleveland

RJ Nembhard (PG)

Prob Mon Illness - 27 / 03 / 22

Dean Wade (SF)

out for season Knee - 13 / 03 / 22

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Prob Mon Ankle - 12 / 03 / 22

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 12 / 03 / 22

Rajon Rondo (PG)

Prob Tues Toe - 25 / 02 / 22

Caris LeVert (SG)

Prob Mon Foot - 23 / 02 / 22

Brandon Goodwin (PG)

Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 02 / 22

Darius Garland (PG)

Prob Wed Back - 31 / 01 / 22

Jarrett Allen (C)

Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 01 / 22

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 22 / 01 / 22

Milwaukee

George Hill (PG)

Prob Wed Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Wed Illness - 09 / 05 / 22

Luca Vildoza (PG)

Prob Wed Illness - 24 / 04 / 22

Bobby Portis (PF)

Prob Fri Eye - 21 / 04 / 22

Bobby Portis (PF)

Prob Wed Calf - 19 / 04 / 22

Jordan Nwora (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 17 / 04 / 22

Jrue Holiday (PG)

day-to-day Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Serge Ibaka (PF)

Prob Sun Illness - 10 / 04 / 22

Brook Lopez (C)

Out Sun Rest - 09 / 04 / 22

Bobby Portis (PF)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22

Injuries

Cleveland

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
RJ Nembhard (PG)	Prob Mon	Illness - 27 / 03 / 22	3-6	5-4	+ -
Nembhard is managing a non-COVID illness, but he is expected to take the court for Monday's battle with the Magic.
Dean Wade (SF)	out for season	Knee - 13 / 03 / 22	5-11	12-5	+ -
Wade is sidelined for the remainder of the 2021-22 season after having surgery to repair a right torn meniscus.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Prob Mon	Ankle - 12 / 03 / 22	6-11	13-5	+ -
Markkanen sat out the last game with a sore right ankle, but it is likely that he will suit up Monday versus the Clippers.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 12 / 03 / 22	6-11	13-5	+ -
Rondo has been idle due to a right ankle sprain, abut he is expected to face the 76ers on Sunday.
Rajon Rondo (PG)	Prob Tues	Toe - 25 / 02 / 22	8-15	15-8-1	+ -
Rondo has been out of the lineup with a right big toe sprain, but he is likely to take on the Pacers on Tuesday.
Caris LeVert (SG)	Prob Mon	Foot - 23 / 02 / 22	8-16	16-8-1	+ -
LeVert has been out of action due to a right foot sprain, but he is expected to return to the court for Monday's clash with the Clippers.
Brandon Goodwin (PG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 09 / 02 / 22	11-17	17-11-1	+ -
Goodwin is ailing from an illness, but it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Spurs on Wednesday.
Darius Garland (PG)	Prob Wed	Back - 31 / 01 / 22	12-20	19-13-1	+ -
Garland has sat out the last four contests with lower-back soreness, but it is projected that he will be available for Wednesday's clash versus the Spurs.
Jarrett Allen (C)	Ques Wed	Illness - 24 / 01 / 22	13-22	19-16-1	+ -
Allen sat out the last contest due to an illness, and it is undecided if he will face the Bucks on Wednesday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 22 / 01 / 22	13-23	20-16-1	+ -
Markkanen has been sidelined with a high right ankle sprain, but it is anticipated that he will return for Thursday's matchup versus the Pistons.

Milwaukee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
George Hill (PG)	Prob Wed	Abdominal - 10 / 05 / 22	1-2	2-1	+ -
Hill is hampered by an abdominal injury, but it is projected that he will face the Celtics on Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Wed	Illness - 09 / 05 / 22	1-2	2-2	+ -
Ibaka is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics.
Luca Vildoza (PG)	Prob Wed	Illness - 24 / 04 / 22	5-3	2-7	+ -
Vildoza is ailing from a non-COVID-19 illness, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls.
Bobby Portis (PF)	Prob Fri	Eye - 21 / 04 / 22	5-5	2-9	+ -
Portis is dealing with a right eye abrasion, but it is projected that he will hit the court against the Bulls in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Bobby Portis (PF)	Prob Wed	Calf - 19 / 04 / 22	5-5	2-9	+ -
Portis is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Bulls despite a right calf contusion.
Jordan Nwora (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 17 / 04 / 22	5-6	3-9	+ -
Nwora is dealing with back soreness, but it is likely that he will take on the Bulls in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jrue Holiday (PG)	day-to-day	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Holiday exited Sunday's game due to rest purposes, and he will not return.
Serge Ibaka (PF)	Prob Sun	Illness - 10 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Ibaka is managing a non-COVID illness, but it is projected that he will be active against the Bulls for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Brook Lopez (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 09 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Lopez will not be in the starting lineup against the Cavaliers on Sunday as he will receive a day of rest.
Bobby Portis (PF)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 09 / 04 / 22	6-6	4-9	+ -
Portis is battling left shoulder soreness, leaving his status for Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference versus the Bulls clouded.