Cleveland Cavaliers Try to Gain Ground in Central Division

Cleveland won their fifth straight game as they took down Chicago at home in their previous contest Tuesday night. The Cavaliers improved to 23-15 on the season and stood third in the Central Division, four games behind the Bucks for the top spot. They were fourth in the Eastern Conference, seven games behind the Celtics for the top spot and are one game ahead of the Knicks record-wise to remain in a guaranteed playoff position. Against Chicago, Cleveland jumped in front 8-0 early and led by 19 after the opening quarter. The Cavaliers were up 14 at the half, by three after three quarters and actually trailed 81-80 with 10:01 remaining. Cleveland regrouped, reeling off 10 straight points to take a 90-81 lead with 8:07 to play and went on to the win. The Cavaliers shot 41.1% from the floor, including 20 of 57 from three-point range, and held a 48-43 advantage on the boards in the game. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 34 points and seven assists in the win.

The Cavaliers come into this one ranked 21st in the league in scoring offense as they put up an average of 113.1 points per game this season. Cleveland is 8th in rebounding as they grab 44.9 boards per contest and stand 13th in assists by handing out 26.4 dimes a contest this year. The Cavaliers are 3rd in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 110.7 points per game this season. Donovan Mitchell leads the way in the scoring department for Cleveland as he puts up 28.1 points plus 5.8 assists a night on the year. Evan Mobley (16 points, 10.5 boards), Darius Garland (20.7 points, 5.9 assists), Isaac Okoro (8.6 points), Jarrett Allen (14.6 points, 10.1 rebounds) and Caris LeVert (16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists) each are solid secondary options. Max Strus (13.1 points), Dean Wade, Tristan Thompson, Georges Niang, Ty Jerome, Craig Porter and Damian Jones are other contributors in the Cavaliers’ rotation. Cleveland is 15th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 47.2% from the floor as a team on the year. The Cavaliers are 14th by knocking down an average of 13 three-pointers a night while they are 26th by connecting on 35.2% of their attempts from beyond the arc.

Milwaukee Bucks Look to Extend Central Division Edge

Milwaukee won their third straight game as they outlasted Sacramento in overtime at the buzzer on a Damian Lillard three-pointer Tuesday night. The Bucks entered Tuesday 28-12 on the season and lead the Central Division by four games over the Cavaliers. They were second in the Eastern Conference entering Tuesday night, three games behind the Celtics for the top spot. Against Sacramento, Milwaukee trailed by five after the opening quarter, led by two at the half and by four after three quarters only to see the Kings rally to force overtime. The Bucks trailed by six with 2:57 remaining in overtime and by four with 33.2 seconds left only to rally for the win. Milwaukee shot 52.2% from the field, including 20 of 43 from three-point range, and allowed the Kings to shoot 52.4% in the game yet managed to earn the win. Lillard led the Bucks with 29 points and eight assists in the win.

The Bucks are 2nd in the league in scoring offense with 125 points per game on the season. Milwaukee is 9th in rebounding by pulling down 44.4 boards per contest while the team is 11th by dishing out 26.8 assists per game. The Bucks are 24th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 119.9 points per contest this season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading Milwaukee with 31.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest this season. Brook Lopez chips in 12.8 points plus 5.2 boards per game while Damian Lillard (25.2 points, 6.8 assists), Bobby Portis (12.6 points, 6.9 boards), Khris Middleton (14.7 points) and Malik Beasley (11.9 points) are good secondary scoring options. Jae Crowder, Cameron Payne, Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp, AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. are solid pieces in the mix as well. Milwaukee is 3rd in the league in field goal percentage by shooting 50.2% as a team this season. The Bucks are 5th in threes per game by draining 14.4 triples per contest and stand 3rd in three-point shooting by hitting 38.3% of their attempts from beyond the arc.