Milwaukee Bucks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Picks and Predictions November 2nd 2024

Bucks vs Cavaliers November 2nd 2024

At 8:00 ET, the Milwaukee Bucks (-127) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (+107) in a divisional matchup. The Bucks are favored by 2 points and the over/under line is set at 232.5.

The Cavaliers are off to a hot start at 6-0, while the Bucks have struggled out of the gate with a 1-4 record. The game will be played at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and can be seen on FDSW.

Cavaliers vs. Bucks Key Information

Sport: NBA
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers at Milwaukee Bucks
Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
Date: Saturday, November 2nd
Betting Odds MIL -2, CLE +107 | MIL -127 O/U 232.5

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

The Cavaliers improved to 6-0 on the season with a 120-109 win over the Magic on Friday. Playing at home, Cleveland entered the game as -7.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points of 229 exceeded the O/U line of 216.5 by 12.5 points.

Cleveland set the tone early with a 10-0 run, extending their lead from 26-16 to 36-16. They edged Orlando 29-28 in the 2nd quarter and went into the 4th quarter with a 95-78 lead. Although the Magic outscored them 31-25 in the final frame, the Cavaliers’ early dominance was enough to secure the win.

In their 120-109 win over the Magic, the Cavaliers shot 50.6% from the field and connected on 15 threes at a 39.5% rate. Darius Garland led the way with 25 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 22, including 13 in the opening quarter.

Evan Mobley contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds, with 6 points coming in both the 1st and 2nd quarters. Caris LeVert also chipped in 8 of his 13 points in the 1st quarter.

The Cavaliers’ defense set the tone early, holding the Magic to just 16 points in the 1st quarter. However, they allowed 28 points in the 2nd, 34 in the 3rd, and 31 in the 4th, but still managed to secure the win despite giving up 109 points.

Cleveland limited Orlando’s three-point shooting, allowing 11 threes on 33% shooting. The Magic also went 16/24 from the free-throw line. The Cavaliers grabbed 42 defensive rebounds, gave up 7 offensive boards, and recorded 6 steals and 4 blocks.

Through their last ten road games, Cleveland has an ATS record of just 6-4. However, their overall record was 4-6 while averaging 107 points per game.
As the betting underdog, the Cavaliers have an ATS mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. Cleveland posted a straight up mark of 2-8 in these matchups.
Over their last five games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 5-0 vs. the spread.

The Bucks Can Win If…

The Bucks fell to 1-4 on the season after a 122-99 road loss to the Grizzlies on Thursday. Milwaukee, favored by 6.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points came in at 221, falling short of the 231-point over/under line.

Memphis took control early, going on a 14-0 run to extend their lead from 25-17 to 39-17. The Bucks couldn’t recover, trailing 99-70 going into the 4th quarter, despite outscoring the Grizzlies 29-23 in the final period.

The Cavaliers shot 50.6% from the field and connected on 15 threes at a 39.5% rate in their win over the Magic. Darius Garland led the way with 25 points, scoring 12 in the 2nd quarter.

Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, with 13 coming in the 1st quarter. Evan Mobley contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds, scoring 6 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters.

The Bucks’ defense struggled early, giving up 40 points in the 1st quarter, but they tightened up as the game went on, allowing 23 points in the 4th. Overall, Milwaukee allowed 122 points on 52% shooting from the field in their loss to the Grizzlies.

Milwaukee did well defending the three, holding Memphis to 8 made threes on 28% shooting. The Bucks also recorded 10 steals and 4 blocks, while allowing 7 offensive rebounds.

In their last five games at home, the Bucks have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 106 points per game in this stretch.
Going back to their previous three games as the favorite, Milwaukee has an ATS mark of 0-3 while going 0-3 straight up.
In their last five games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +2, we have the Cavaliers as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 232.5 and our model has the Cavaliers and Bucks finishing with a combined 265 points. Our pick is to take the over.

NBA Picks for Today

Undefeated Cavaliers Seek Historic Start Against Struggling Bucks

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the brink of history as they gear up to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. With a 6-0 record, their best season start since 2016-17, Cleveland is aiming to continue their winning streak and edge closer to their franchise-best 8-0 start set in 1976-77 under coach Bill Fitch.

Cleveland Cavaliers: A New Era Under Kenny Atkinson

The Cavaliers have flourished offensively this season under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, shifting gears from their traditionally defense-heavy play. They’ve surpassed 130 points in three games already this season, demonstrating their explosive scoring capability. Their shooting statistics are impressive, with a team average of 53.3% from the field and 40.8% from beyond the arc.

Star Guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been pivotal in the team’s success. Garland contributed 25 points in just 29 minutes in their recent 120-109 victory over the Orlando Magic, while Mitchell added 22 points in 22 minutes, despite both players dealing with foul trouble. Evan Mobley also made his presence known, notching a double-double that reinforced Cleveland’s balanced roster depth.

Mitchell expressed the team’s current mindset: “We’re extremely confident. But at the end of the day, it’s just a six-game stretch… It’s about continuing to form good habits and be who we are.” This tempered confidence speaks to Cleveland’s focus on consistency and long-term success.

Milwaukee Bucks: Searching for Solutions

The Milwaukee Bucks, who had a better record than Cleveland last season, find themselves in unfamiliar territory with a four-game losing streak. Their latest setback, a 122-99 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, exposed multiple vulnerabilities. The team shot a poor 9-of-42 from three-point range and was dominated on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 56-38.

Head coach Doc Rivers has taken responsibility for the team’s defensive lapses, acknowledging their struggle with transition defense. “The defensive transition was still awful tonight, and that’s on me,” Rivers said. He emphasized the need for discipline and hinted at changes if performance doesn’t improve: “Everything is on me until we get it right.”

Individual Performances: A Tale of Two Stars

Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to play at an MVP level, scoring 37 points on a highly efficient 17-of-22 shooting while grabbing 11 rebounds in the loss to Memphis. However, his efforts have not been enough to compensate for the team’s broader issues.

Damian Lillard, on the other hand, had an uncharacteristically poor showing, scoring only four points on 1-of-12 shooting. This rare misfire highlighted the Bucks’ dependency on their star duo, especially with Khris Middleton sidelined due to an ankle injury. Lillard’s struggles were compounded by poor shooting from fellow starters Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, who combined to miss 18 of their 19 three-point attempts.

Challenges Ahead for the Bucks

Milwaukee’s offensive challenges extend beyond one poor game. The team’s lack of a consistent third scorer has put immense pressure on Antetokounmpo and Lillard. Without Middleton, no other player has managed to exceed 16 points in a game this season, revealing a glaring gap in offensive support.

Defensively, Antetokounmpo’s post-game comments pointed to the team’s inconsistency. “Defensively, it’s all about effort,” he noted. “If there’s no effort, you’re going to be horrible.” This statement underscores the urgency for collective buy-in and consistent energy on the defensive end.

Cavaliers’ Pursuit vs. Bucks’ Resilience

Saturday’s game presents contrasting narratives: the Cavaliers, riding high on confidence and strategic gameplay, seek to continue their historic run. The Bucks, facing mounting pressure, must rediscover their form to halt their losing streak. For Cleveland, a win would position them just one step away from matching their franchise-best start. For Milwaukee, regaining defensive discipline and reliable shooting will be crucial in reasserting their status as contenders.

Key Factors to Watch

Cavaliers’ Offensive Continuity: Can Garland, Mitchell, and Mobley maintain their scoring efficiency under the pressure of an away game?
Bucks’ Defensive Adjustments: Will Rivers’ emphasis on discipline result in noticeable defensive improvements?
Lillard’s Bounce Back: How will Lillard respond after his career-low performance, and can he shake off shooting woes to support Antetokounmpo?
Impact of Middleton’s Absence: Without a viable third scoring option, can the Bucks find production from their role players?

Conclusion

The matchup between the Cavaliers and Bucks is set to be a clash of narratives: Cleveland’s pursuit of history and Milwaukee’s quest for redemption. As the Cavaliers push for a milestone season start, the Bucks face a moment to recalibrate and prove their resilience. Saturday night will test both teams’ aspirations and provide an early barometer for their season trajectories.

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