May 25, 2013

Game Preview: Bucks vs. Cavs – Cavs Out For Revenge?

March 31, 2010 by 34 Comments

Tonight the Cavs welcome Andrew Bogut, Brandon Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks to Cleveland.  The Bucks represent one of two losses for the Cavs so far in the month of March, with the other being against the Spurs.  In that loss in Milwaukee, Antawn Jamison exploded for 30 points and 11 rebounds as the Cavs lost 85-92.   Oh, there was an asterisk on that one though.  LeBron James did not play.

Still, Milwaukee has been hot for the month of March.  They have only lost three games so far, with highlight victories over Cleveland, Boston, and Denver.  They have been paced all month by John Salmons and Brandon Jennings with Andrew Bogut providing the defense and rebounding.  The big story out of Milwaukee today is how their last victory over the Clippers clinched a 0.500 record for the first time in Andrew Bogut’s five-year career.  

For the Cavaliers, Andy Varejao will miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury.  The Cavs will look to score a quality win tonight after losing to the Spurs and then looking lethargic in beating the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.  After two days off, you hope the Cavs come out and look energetic in their defense and in moving off the ball and to rebounds.  Even in beating the Kings, the Cavs lost the rebounding battle and gave up 11 offensive rebounds.  That is not the way a Mike Brown team is expected to play.

This could be an interesting game because of the sub-plot.  I had forgotten all this stuff from the last time the Cavs played Milwaukee until it came up on Twitter.  The Cavs lost and Brandon Jennings was shimmying and throwing up mocking goose gestures after three pointers.  That game also led Mo Williams to apologize for his performance on Twitter.  LeBron James, it was said privately, vowed revenge.  To get the full story in all its detailed glory, head on over to OnlyInCleveland’s blog.  It will be interesting to see if this actually turns out to be a grudge match of sorts for the Cavs to “get even.”

Cavs – 78.4% winning percentage, 102.1 PF, 94.8 PA, 9-1 L10
Bucks – 56.2% winning percentage, 97.9 PF, 96.3 PA,  7-3  L10

Related Posts

Zemanta
Filed Under: Cavaliers Tagged With: , , , , , ,
  • Jack

    Mo Williams must go to the rim with some purpose.

  • BW

    Mo’s gonna struggle on the defensive end as he always does when facing fast PGs. Look for Jennings to have a big night, but the Cavs as a whole will run this game and win.

  • http://shakesthesnowglobe.blogspot.com EZ

    Welcome back Darnell!

  • 5haun

    I’m hoping the cavs haven’t forgotten about the last game we played them. For the reasons that BW mentioned above, I think that LeBron will guard Jennings in crunch time, but I’m hoping he won’t have to play past the 3rd.

  • bbthewy

    Jennings does the goose eggs thing every game he plays. Cleveland fans forget about the game in Milwaukee when the Cavs crushed the Bucks and were dancing around on the sideline. What goes around comes around.

  • http://www.onlyincle.com jake In Ohio City (Natty The Dog)

    Brandon Jennings antics won’t fly in Cleveland. Nobody’s antics fly in Cleveland.

    If Jennings wants to learn to be a star, he needs to follow Lebron, no mimic him. Deshaun Stevenson is a good example of what happens to players that piss Lebron off.

  • phil m

    I’m sure many of you saw this; but just in case you didn’t, in this year’s MVP contest, fans now have a single vote (out of 125!, but still…). Cast it here:

    http://www.NBA.com/KiaMVPFanVote

    And you might find the Hollinger’s PER ratings helpful in your decision-making. Like any stat, they’re not flawless; but they are thorough, and it’s curious to see the media darling, Kobe Bryant, ranking 11th. The top five are

    1. LeBron James
    2. Dwane Wade
    3. Kevin Durant
    4. Chris Paul
    5. Tim Duncan

  • akron.slinger

    Its nice to see Moon getting some good playing time, Hickson hitting jump shots and Mo being aggressive. If Mo keeps taking it right at Jennings they can keep him in some foul trouble. So far it hasn’t been a great game for the Cavs but also not a bad one either. Cavs need better defense. Bucks are playing well also.

  • Christopher

    What does anyone else think of “resting” Mo the remainder of the season and starting Boobie?

    This would warm Boobie up in case Mo continues his suspect offense and slow defense in the playoffs.

  • phil m

    Christopher: Boobie has many fans, myself including, but that’s not going to happen. Everyone wants to see Mo turn it on. And, so far, this game, he is being aggressive, which only helps.

    That said, Boobie used to be given an assassin’s role late in games, as Brown would bring him off the bench to knock down a few 3′s, and I don’t understand why Brown no longer does that.

  • phil m

    This is gonna be fun. We’ve got the Lakers down by 10 in Atlanta at the half and the Cavs and Bucks playing a great game in Cleveland. The magic number watch is heating up again.

  • akron.slinger

    @8

    I don’t think that would be a good idea. Though I would agree Boobie needs to see a bit more game time….well, any game time. Mo has been playing pretty good tonight. 9 points and 3 assists. He is being more aggressive on offense and actually has had a few good stops on Jennings. I think if he averages 10-15 points and puts up 5-10 assists while being some-what proficient on defense I will be happy with his play. I think not playing him or taking away his minutes would just make him horrible come playoffs. I think Boobie should definitely come in for Parker off the bench if we can play small.

    Thats my thoughts.

  • Christopher

    I wouldn’t say I also much a “boobie fan” as I am suspecting Mo since his return and previous playoff performance.

    I would love to see Mo turn it on an become the facilitating shot dropper we have seen before an know he can be.

    I just want Brown to see us prepared and startegizing headed into playoffs.

    Good talk Russ.

  • Jack

    LeBron is really good at jolting everyone out of the flow offensively.

  • Jack

    This team just refuses to go to the basket. Refuses. And I will never understand it. And it will kill us in the playoffs.

  • Jack

    Thank gawd for Jawad…

    ..take the ball inside.

  • Jack

    Mo Williams cannot play in crunch time…

  • Jack

    Why does LeBron think that’s good? He is entering the realm of Allen Iverson/Gilbert Arenas ball stoppage.

  • http://www.60bpm.com/ Robbie

    I’m sort of tired of the BS goosey crap. They gave-up a wide-open 3 pointer celebrating nothing.

  • phil m

    Jennings has shot 2 for 9 for a total of 5 points. No goosey for him.

  • http://www.60bpm.com/ Robbie

    Glad they won, but I will not be happy if the Cavaliers face this team in round 2 of the playoffs.

    Magic number will likely be 2 for best record overall after tonight.

  • phil m

    Tell me we should sit Mo, Christopher! :)

    It wasn’t pretty, but the magic numbers are now at 2!

    I had one question on the final Cavs possession, where AP inbounded to Mo. Why didn’t Mo feign a 3-pt attempt there?

  • phil m

    Robbie: the Bucks are a good team, but we’d also have the Wild Thing back on the floor and possibly Shaq. Let’s keep that in mind. I don’t see them beating us four times.

    I said back in February that the Cavs’ schedule for March gave them a chance at losing only 1 or 2 games in the month, and that’s what they achieved: their best monthly performance (13-2).

  • Eli

    Good tough game tonight. I can only see our defense improve as we get Andy and Shaq back, even if its just more hard fouls on the interior to protect the paint.

  • MattC

    Bucks are a very tough team, no doubt. I’d much rather face the overrated Hawks second round.

  • hansolo1

    29-45 (64%). The good guys missed more FT’s than the Bucks took (8-9). Was this game fairly refereed? I couldn’t see it, which is why I’m asking. But when you make 21 more points than your opponent at the charity stripe, I’d say chances are you should win (normally by more than 3).

  • Justin

    @Han the Bucks just don’t drive to the hoop at all. They rank 29th in league when it comes to FT attempts/game.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/?p=26176 Jaythetruth

    A W 4 A M V P

    Goodnight Cleveland:

  • http://bitmatt.com bitmatt

    I MISS ANDY.

  • DKH

    Note that 4 of the free throws were due to intentional-unintentional fouls at the end of the game (i.e. the realistic number is 32 more FTAs than the Bucks). Then, note that the Cavs attempted 17 fewer FGs than the Bucks. So that almost lines up.

    Also, the shot chart is here:

    http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=300331005

    In every quarter, the Bucks have more shots scattered outside the paint than the Cavs.

  • Tsunami

    Nice research DKH – I like your style.

  • http://www.60bpm.com/ Robbie

    Yeah, I have to admit they wouldn’t beat the Cavaliers four times. In a way, maybe the tough competition would be good for the team. Last year, they were blowing everyone away and swept the first two rounds. We all know how well that worked-out for them.

  • BW

    I’m praying to face Chicago in round 1 and the Bucks in round 2… then I’d be able to get to a game or two being as I live in Milwaukee :)

  • http://www.msblsim.com boogeyman

    @MattC “Bucks are a very tough team, no doubt. I’d much rather face the overrated Hawks second round” Yea those overrated Hawks looked pretty bad ripping the Lakers a new one last night. ;)

    Hey at least Mo can shoot free throws! Ghastly just ghastly the way a professional basketball team is unable to shoot free throws. Maybe the Cavaliers should attempt them from the 3 point line.